Populations at Risk
The Partnership's Ask Me 3 initiative promotes three basic questions that patients should ask their providers in every healthcare interaction:
- What is my main problem?
- What do I need to do?
- Why is it important for me to do this?
When caring for patients whose verbal abilities are limited, assistive devices such as an alphabet board or picture board may prove helpful. Patients who are unable to speak because of a tracheostomy or other surgical procedure should also have these devices available, along with pencil and paper (Adkins, 1991).
Consider the health literacy of patients.
