week 3 response

one paragraph response to this discussion 

n my clinical experience, I encountered a patient with hearing impairment, necessitating written communication for appointments. This situation led to extended appointment times and prompted me to explore alternative communication style to enhance the patient’s subsequent visits. In planning patient care, I considered the complexity of communication for individuals with hearing impairment. However, assumptions were inadvertently made about the patient’s proficiency in written communication, leading to less-than-optimal treatment outcomes. The extended appointment times and potential misunderstandings highlighted the impact of these assumptions on patient care.

                I was determined to prevent a recurrence of such challenges, so I took proactive measures to address the communication issues between their continuing care appointments. Recognizing the numerous barriers faced by individuals with special needs, particularly those with hearing impairment (Jain et al., 2017), I sought evidence-based ways to enhance our interaction. Various methods, including lipreading, fingerspelling, and sign language, were considered based on research recommendations (Jain et al., 2017). However, it became apparent that learning true sign languages and gestures was crucial for effective communication and to ensure a positive experience for the patient in receiving adequate care. In addition to learning sign language, I considered asking the patient about their preferred teleconferencing platforms to facilitate smoother communication. Research led me to companies like Luna360, which provide platforms for both dental offices and patients, helping in expressing their healthcare needs (Virtual Interpreting, n.d.).

I believed that taking these steps was not only beneficial but also aligned with my responsibility to provide comprehensive and accessible care to all patients.