Abstract
This article explores the clinical applications of Audiology Practice Standards Organization
(APSO) Standards 2 and 13, both of which keep us fully focused on the patient-as-person.
The topics within Standard 2 include audiologists' interpersonal communication skills,
specifically clarity (ensuring patient comprehension) and empathy (understanding the
patient's experiences). Standard 2 also addresses the topic of health literacy, which
has been recently expanded to consider not only the degree to which individuals are
able to find, understand, and use information and services to inform health-related
decisions but also how organizations equitably support those necessary skills. The
characteristics and benefits of services provided in patient- and family-centered
care contexts are also described. Standard 13 addresses audiologists' support toward
overall successful adjustment as defined by the patient, including both technical
and personal adjustment to amplification, nontechnical communication issues, and rehabilitation
support using readily available technologies. A new assessment protocol that includes
goal setting and intervention is described, as well as a patient-centered intervention
strategy involving discussion of personally meaningful photographs. Both standards
provide a necessary balance to our technology-reliant profession.
Keywords
patient-centered care - healthy literacy - joint goal-setting
