It is important to arrive at the time that you scheduled. Dress appropriately which in most cases is business casual attire. Introduce yourself to the person when you arrive and explain your relationship to the referring source. You should begin the conversation with an open-ended question. This could be “What do you need to know?” or “how may I help you?”.

Let the person that you are visiting set the agenda for the visit. Listen, and provide support and information as requested. Only share your personal experiences if they are relevant to the person you’re visiting. End your visit at the time you agreed on.  During the visit, it is important to be aware of any increased pain or discomfort that the person you are visiting is experiencing. Also, watch for any decreased interest in talking. These signs can be used to end your visit earlier than planned.

Before you leave, ask the person if they would like to have further conversations.  If so, ask for their contact information so that you can schedule a follow-up visit.  Keep in mind that friends and families are also affected by the amputation. Include them in the conversation if this is what the person you were visiting wants.

Guidelines for visiting

Hospital visits

• Be on time
• Stop at the nurse’s station and tell them who you are visiting,  the group you represent (if applicable) and who requested the visit.
  • Ask whether this is a good time for a visit. If this is not a good time because of a change in status or other reasons, then let the person you were to visit or a family member know that you’ll call back to reschedule
• Do not schedule visits during meal times
• Knock before entering hospital rooms
• If family or friends are present include them in the conversation
• Step outside or offer to reschedule the visit of healthcare staff arrive to conduct an exam or a procedure

Home visits

• Be on time
• Ask the person you are visiting where they would be most comfortable during the visit
• If there are distractions such as a television in the background politely ask whether they can be eliminated
• End the visit if anything about the setting or the behaviour of anyone present makes you feel unsafe or uncomfortable

Phone visits

• While in-person visits are preferable, phone or video conference may be the only option available
• Prior to making the call, select a time and location where you are not going to be interrupted during the conversation
• If the person isn’t local, be aware of the time zone that they are in when scheduling the call
• Review the information you’ve been given about the person you will be calling
• Introduce yourself, your affiliation if this is applicable, and why you are calling
• Ask whether the time is convenient if the connection is good and whether the person can hear you adequately
• Be mindful that it makes it more difficult to pick up on feelings over the phone; you will need to ask in order to verify what the person is saying

What should you not do during home or hospital visits

• Provide assistance to the bathroom; if immediate assistance is needed call the family or healthcare staff
• Administer any medications
• Provide transportation to the person you were visiting with their family members
• Handle any money or valuables
• Provide medical advice or recommendations
• Arrive unexpectedly or bring another person with you
• Sit on the bed of the person you were visiting (if they are in bed, bring a chair to the side of the bed instead)

Check your understanding

Please read the following scenario and answer the multiple-choice question.

Instructor Notes: