Docs urged to speak in Kannada with patients

Mysuru: “Doctors can serve in any part of the State without facing any difficulties if they know Kannada,” said Cardiologist Dr. Vijayalakshmi Balekundri.

She was speaking at a session on ‘Vijnana Tantrajnana: Kannadada Balake,’ organised as part of Kannada Sahitya Sammelana at Maharaja’s College Centenary Hall on the concluding day of the Sammelana yesterday.

She said that doctors should communicate with patients in Kannada and added that the prescriptions and letter of consent should be in Kannada so that those who do not know English can understand the medical condition.

She also said that in most cases, though the doctors know Kannada, they prefer to speak in English with patients, which may lead to miscommunication as most patients may not know or understand English.