AllDeaf.com - View Single Post - Doctor's office refused to provide interpreter!!!

Kaitin · 11-06-2007, 08:10 AM

Hi, Lucia:

I showed my dad your thread. He is a doctor. He was so angry at your doctor! He wrote a letter for me to give to any doctor. The letter explains the ADA. Please - anyone who wants the letter - copy and paste into Word to print for yourself.

HTH.

My dad's letter:

----

Dear physician or other health care professional:

Thank you for agreeing to see me today to discuss my medical concerns. In order to have an effective conversation and meaningful patient-doctor relationship, I need to inform you that I am deaf.

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, a doctor’s office must make “reasonable accommodations” to ensure “effective communication” with to the deaf and people with other disabilities. This law applies regardless of the number of employees in the doctor’s office.

The most effective means for us to communicate would be to use a professional interpreter. A professional interpreter will facilitate an outstanding level of patient-doctor communication and ensure that our visit is as productive as possible, with little time wasted with poor communication.

The ADA does allow for other means of communication such as the use of pen and paper. For an uncomplicated, routine office visit, pen and paper may be adequate. Unfortunately, pen and paper communication is not nearly as efficient and effective as a qualified interpreter.
The AMA has an informative article on its website (AMA - American Medical Association Home Page) entitled: Americans with Disabilities Act and Hearing Interpreters. In it the AMA notes:

Although the health care professional makes the final decision regarding use of an interpreter or other alternative, the patient's choice should be given primary consideration. Also, the reasonableness of a determination not to provide an accommodation may be challenged in court in an enforcement.

Lastly, as I am sure you are aware, HIPPA rules apply to communication with deaf patients. Therefore, it may not be appropriate to use family members as interpreters without private, effective consultation with the deaf patient.

Thank you very much for your consideration and assistance.

----

I pasted the letter from my dad's message to me. But when I post it, the website for the AMA changed to a link. My dad wrote out the website address, so not a link, for the letter.

11-06-2007, 08:10 AM	#26 (permalink)
Kaitin Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 845 Blog Entries: 23	Hi, Lucia: I showed my dad your thread. He is a doctor. He was so angry at your doctor! He wrote a letter for me to give to any doctor. The letter explains the ADA. Please - anyone who wants the letter - copy and paste into Word to print for yourself. HTH. My dad's letter: ---- Dear physician or other health care professional: Thank you for agreeing to see me today to discuss my medical concerns. In order to have an effective conversation and meaningful patient-doctor relationship, I need to inform you that I am deaf. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, a doctor’s office must make “reasonable accommodations” to ensure “effective communication” with to the deaf and people with other disabilities. This law applies regardless of the number of employees in the doctor’s office. The most effective means for us to communicate would be to use a professional interpreter. A professional interpreter will facilitate an outstanding level of patient-doctor communication and ensure that our visit is as productive as possible, with little time wasted with poor communication. The ADA does allow for other means of communication such as the use of pen and paper. For an uncomplicated, routine office visit, pen and paper may be adequate. Unfortunately, pen and paper communication is not nearly as efficient and effective as a qualified interpreter. The AMA has an informative article on its website (AMA - American Medical Association Home Page) entitled: Americans with Disabilities Act and Hearing Interpreters. In it the AMA notes: Although the health care professional makes the final decision regarding use of an interpreter or other alternative, the patient's choice should be given primary consideration. Also, the reasonableness of a determination not to provide an accommodation may be challenged in court in an enforcement. Lastly, as I am sure you are aware, HIPPA rules apply to communication with deaf patients. Therefore, it may not be appropriate to use family members as interpreters without private, effective consultation with the deaf patient. Thank you very much for your consideration and assistance. ---- I pasted the letter from my dad's message to me. But when I post it, the website for the AMA changed to a link. My dad wrote out the website address, so not a link, for the letter.