COMMUNICATION AND THE PATIENTS WITH DISABILITIES

Communication with patients with disabilities (SEN – special educational needs), for doctors, dentists, pharmacists, and nutritionists, represents both a “cornerstone” and a “touchstone” in the relationship between the two parties. From the perspective of maintaining the patient’s health in optimal parameters, the guiding principle is the dictum ‘primum non nocere’ (‘first, do no harm’).

Moreover, knowledge and identification of the specific needs and characteristics of persons with disabilities intellectual, hearing, visual, locomotor, multiple disabilities, as well as behavioral disorders by medical, pharmaceutical, and nutrition professionals make the communication process more effective when the disability and age-related characteristics are considered.

At the same time, professionalism in approaching patients with special educational needs is highlighted, with no form of discrimination being acceptable under any circumstances. In this context, beginning with attentive listening and progressing toward understanding and acceptance of the patient with disabilities—that is, the beneficiary—these aspects determine a specific professional conduct, attitude, behavior.