How can you improve communication between incarcerated patients and their healthcare providers?

1 Understand the challenges

Incarcerated patients often have complex and chronic health needs, as well as higher rates of mental illness, substance use, and infectious diseases. However, they also face many challenges in communicating with their healthcare providers, such as limited privacy, security restrictions, stigma, distrust, and lack of continuity of care. These challenges can affect their ability to express their concerns, ask questions, consent to treatment, and follow instructions. As a patient advocate, you need to understand these challenges and how they impact the patient-provider relationship.

2 Build rapport and trust

One of the most effective ways to improve communication between incarcerated patients and their healthcare providers is to build rapport and trust with both parties. This means showing respect, empathy, and professionalism, and avoiding judgment, bias, or stereotypes. You can also use active listening skills, such as paraphrasing, reflecting, and summarizing, to show that you are paying attention and understand the patient's and the provider's perspectives. By building rapport and trust , you can facilitate a more open and honest dialogue and reduce the potential for conflict or misunderstanding.

3 Use plain language and visual aids

Another way to improve communication between incarcerated patients and their healthcare providers is to use plain language and visual aids whenever possible. Plain language is clear, simple, and concise, and avoids jargon, acronyms, or technical terms that may confuse or intimidate the patient. Visual aids are tools that help explain or illustrate complex or abstract concepts, such as diagrams, charts, pictures, or models. Using plain language and visual aids can help the patient understand their diagnosis, treatment options, risks, benefits, and expectations, and make informed decisions about their care.

4 Advocate for the patient's rights and preferences

As a patient advocate, you also have a responsibility to advocate for the patient's rights and preferences when communicating with their healthcare providers. This means ensuring that the patient is informed, involved, and empowered in their care, and that their voice is heard and respected. You can do this by asking the patient what they want and need, clarifying their goals and values, and expressing their concerns or questions to the provider. You can also support the patient in exercising their rights to consent, refuse, or withdraw from treatment, and to access their medical records, second opinions, or complaints mechanisms.

5 Follow up and document the communication

Finally, you can improve communication between incarcerated patients and their healthcare providers by following up and documenting the communication. Following up means checking in with the patient and the provider after each interaction, and ensuring that they have understood and agreed on the next steps, and that they have the necessary resources or support to follow through. Documenting means keeping a record of the communication, such as the date, time, place, participants, topics, outcomes, and action items. Following up and documenting can help you monitor the patient's progress, identify any gaps or issues, and provide evidence or feedback if needed.