When Every Word Is Worth Its Weight in Gold – Communication With a Person Who Stutters – Preliminary Report

This article examines the experiences of paramedics and paramedic students in contact with patients who stutter. A qualitative study based on in-depth interviews shows that speech disfluency significantly prolongs emergency procedures and generates the risk of misdiagnosing stroke or intoxication. The study is a pilot study prior to planned, larger studies aimed at preparing a broader research project. The main research question focuses on whether and how a patient's/relative's stuttering is related to the course of emergency medical procedures. To improve communication, paramedics use adaptive strategies such as closed-ended questions, maintaining eye contact, and slowing the speech rate. The analysis revealed an educational gap – none of the respondents had participated in training on stuttering. The authors recommend reforming education through workshops with individuals who stutter. This form of learning, including pre-briefing, scenario implementation, and debriefing, allows for the development of genuine empathy and improvement in patient safety in emergency situations.