A 49-year-old man arrives to the office complaining of dysuria and hematuria. The vital signs are normal, and the physical examination is uneventful; the urinalysis reveals extensive hematuria but is otherwise normal. The doctor outlines the possible causes and the need for a cystoscopy. The patient is informed about the surgery and provided written information as well as a referral list with directions on how to make an appointment with a urologist. He looks at the documents anxiously, claiming he will arrange an appointment soon. The physician had been notified by office personnel that the patient was unable to follow the guidelines on the sign-in page and refused to complete out paperwork. Which of the following physician replies is the best at this time?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: This patient's difficulty comprehending written instructions and unwillingness to fill out paperwork are indicators of inadequate health literacy, a widespread and underappreciated barrier to health treatment. Low health literacy (the inability to acquire, comprehend, or use medical knowledge to make decisions) relates to poor health care access and outcomes, such as prescription mistakes, missed visits, and failure to follow up on tests and referrals.
Although formal literacy tests have been utilized in research, they are rarely advised in therapeutic settings due to the stigma associated with them. Effective communication necessitates a patient-centered approach that minimizes humiliation and shame. The easiest method to address the issue without condemning the patient is to ask an open-ended inquiry that promotes discussion of any reservations about scheduling the visit. If this patient expressed difficulty, he could be assisted in scheduling the appointment while in the office

A 49-Year-Old Man Arrives to the Office Complaining of Dysuria