Communication Under Pressure

What happens when a patient has something important to tell us, but the way we ask gets in the way?

Hamish and Jeremy explore how pain, overload and the pace of the emergency department can make communication harder for autistic patients. Through a composite patient encounter, they discuss processing time, typing, communication aids and the difference between speech, understanding and decision-making capacity. Together, they consider how clinicians can build shared understanding, involve supporters and keep the patient at the centre—even when time is short.