patient’s eyes. Some people do not like to be touched at all; to others, it is a valuable assurance that • someone cares about them. You should try gently touching patients on a neutral part of the body, such as a shoulder or arm, especially when you are trying to reassure them or to mitigate their fear. Hostile or patients may present a threat to you and others. Always approach with • caution and maintain eye contact. Try not to interview them by yourself. Try not to presume that older people are any harder to communicate with than anyone else, • just because they are older. Children can pose treatment and communication challenges even to the best EMS • personnel. Minimize your movements, lower your voice, and touch them as gently as you can. Try keeping your eye level at or below the child’s by sitting on the floor and placing the child on the cot or on a parent’s lap. When you encounter a patient who has trouble communicating, remember that family • members or primary caregivers who know these patients well can facilitate your efforts. Just as importantly, they can also help you alleviate fear. Dealing with people of cultures different from your own can be challenging. It is always • considered a mark of your respect if you make an effort to learn about their language and culture. Manners, hand gestures, and body language may differ among cultures. Remember that • another person’s culture may have different rules for polite behavior from your own.
patient’s eyes. • Some people do not like to be touched at all; to others, it is a valuable assurance that someone cares about them. You should try gently touching patients on a neutral part of the body, such as a shoulder or arm, especially when you are trying to reassure them or to mitigate their fear. • Hostile or patients may present a threat to you and others. Always approach with caution and maintain eye contact. Try not to interview them by yourself. • Try not to presume that older people are any harder to communicate with than anyone else, just because they are older. • Children can pose treatment and communication challenges even to the best EMS personnel. Minimize your movements, lower your voice, and touch them as gently as you can. Try keeping your eye level at or below the child’s by sitting on the floor and placing the child on the cot or on a parent’s lap. • When you encounter a patient who has trouble communicating, remember that family members or primary caregivers who know these patients well can facilitate your efforts. Just as importantly, they can also help you alleviate fear. • Dealing with people of cultures different from your own can be challenging. It is always considered a mark of your respect if you make an effort to learn about their language and culture. • Manners, hand gestures, and body language may differ among cultures. Remember that another person’s culture may have different rules for polite behavior from your own.
Review_CH05.docx