Hearing the Silent Voices of COVID-19 Patients on Mechanical Ventilators: The Use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Approach

Abstract

In an emergency setting while the patient on a ventilator with light sedation, effective functional and therapeutic communication with patients is mandatory to promote their well-being and to prevent the clinical frustration of healthcare workers. Through an examination of relevant literature, this paper aims to step up the type of communication problems faced, based on the patients' experiences during ventilation treatment. The paper offers a scoped review and then proposes a viable approach for the development of more effective communication channels between the healthcare workers and the patients.