This book provides the background theory as well as practical tips for communicating with different patient populations and varying conditions. Published in 2023, it is a recent book with a great deal of research and practice guidance embedded from various sources, including professional bodies and charity sectors.
It is available online from numerous suppliers for between ~ £27 and £33. This book covers a range of conditions relevant to audiology and related professionals; there is a chapter dedicated to hearing loss and deafness, but also dementia, which is a pertinent current topic in healthcare.
The text is aimed at a range of healthcare professionals working across many health landscapes. The editors and many authors are based in UK institutions across university and clinical roles and, therefore, the applicability of the content is highly relevant to the NHS/UK healthcare space. Each chapter clearly sets out the contents, with many including case studies to bring real-world examples to the topic. Chapters not only provide context but also practical communication tips, as well as support mechanisms for healthcare professionals.
The book, as a whole, has a patient and family centred approach, with discussions around shared decision making. Whilst current professionals in the audiology field would be familiar with the content and tips in the hearing specific chapter, the other chapters would be a great read for the profession. Furthermore, it would be a great asset to students training in healthcare fields, including audiology.
The book also covers the role of technology in supporting patients, and other noteworthy chapters include autism, learning disabilities and children/young people with speech-language and communication difficulties. Overall, this is a great practical book. It can be referred back to as and when needed, and the reflections touch on the role of Covid in the ever-changing world of healthcare.
