As a Speech Language Pathologist who was a Medic for a six year enlistment in the US Army Reserve, I believe that First Responders could use communication support. I have reviewed communication materials created for both medical and academic settings. Training time for the provider and orientation time for the patient are stumbling blocks. Use of a visual pain scale and orientation materials need to be apparent with minimal explanation.
I wrote My Pain Alert Scale Communication Tool book for a preschool family member with pain issues. His parents handed out copies of the book to other families in the waiting room saying only: “Try this.” It worked for the little children reducing family stress with pain events.
So, this first post on my new website asks First Responders to answer with their opinion after looking at pages on this site: 1. What are you using now to help those who struggle to communicate? 2. Would you use My Pain Alert® Scale to treat a patient struggling with Verbal (scoring less than 5 on AVPU) if that were an option for the protocol you follow? 3. Do you believe that communication impaired population (memory challenged, developmentally disabled, and very young) are getting optimum emergency care?
What is known about the communication impaired population is that it continues to grow.
Please read: Tool for First Responders
My Pain Alert® Scale Meets More Needs
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Poster shown is from Kate Ahern and used with permission..