“I’m only responsible for what I say, not what you understand.”

“I’m only responsible for what I say, not what you understand.”

Really?

Does this apply to health care providers?

To communicate means to succeed in conveying one’s ideas or in evoking understanding in others. Isn’t it our responsibility to evoke understanding? Shouldn’t we check to make sure the patient comprehends the diagnosis and treatment plan?

If we want adherence, compliance, alignment — if we want them to do what we tell them to do for their own good — shouldn’t we make sure they know what it is we want them to do? Shouldn’t we take the time to ask them to teach it back to us?

How can we reasonably expect to impact health outcomes if we don’t?

©(2011) Fran London, MS, RN

One Response to ““I’m only responsible for what I say, not what you understand.””

1. Rebecca Busch says:

   October 10, 2011 at 5:39 am

   This comment is so reflective of what is wrong with healthcare – imagine all the costs associated with healthcare complications that could be avoided if a patient understood their regimen