Optimizing Effective Communication While Wearing a Mask During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Healthcare Communication
• Public Health

Background:

• COVID-19 mandates for healthcare providers (HCPs) necessitate face mask use.
• Face masks impede auditory and visual communication cues, exacerbating challenges for older adults with cognitive, communication, or hearing impairments.
• Reduced communication can lead to patient frustration, anxiety, and diminished quality of life.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review existing research on communication barriers faced by older adults when HCPs wear face masks.
• To provide practical clinical examples and actionable communication strategies for HCPs.
• To highlight various supports and personal protective equipment (PPE) modifications to enhance communication.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of current research on communication challenges in healthcare settings.
• Identification and synthesis of effective communication strategies and supports.
• Exploration of modifications to personal protective equipment (PPE).

Main Results:

• Face masks significantly degrade speech clarity and obscure non-verbal cues essential for understanding.
• Older adults with pre-existing communication or cognitive deficits are disproportionately affected.
• A combination of strategies, including enhanced verbal and non-verbal techniques, written aids, and modified PPE, can mitigate communication barriers.

Conclusions:

• Effective communication is crucial for the well-being of older adults in healthcare settings.
• HCPs can implement specific strategies and utilize various supports to overcome face mask-related communication barriers.
• Proactive communication modifications are essential to ensure older adults receive clear information and feel supported, thereby improving their healthcare experience and quality of life.