title: Safety considerations for patients with communication disorders in rehabilitation medicine settings.
abstract: Communication barriers can pose a significant safety risk for patients. Individuals in a communication-vulnerable state are commonly seen in rehabilitation settings. These patients cannot adequately communicate their symptoms, wants, and needs to providers. Causes of communication barriers include neurologic impairments, such as stroke, cerebral palsy, and Parkinson disease, and language barriers. The ability of clinicians to adequately diagnose, treat, and monitor these patients is also hindered. This article identifies key communication barriers and strategies that clinicians can use to effectively communicate with these patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Kingsbrook Rehabilitation Institute, Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center, 585 Schenectady Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA. acristian@kingsbrook.org
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cristian
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Giammarino
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Olds
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Moriarty
authors.forename: Sabina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ratner
authors.forename: Shruti
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mural
authors.forename: Eric C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Stobart
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D003144:Communication Barriers; D003147:Communication Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D061214:Patient Safety; D012046:Rehabilitation