Updated January 01, 2014.

Sometimes it is not possible to get an interpreter in a health care situation. What can a doctor or nurse do then? Fortunately, there is a category of sign language that can help: Medical sign language.

Books on Medical Sign Language

The following medical sign language books are available:

• Random House Webster's American Sign Language Medical Dictionary ()
• Medical Sign Language : Easily Understood Definitions of Commonly Used Medical, Dental & First Aid Terms ()

• Sign Language Pictograms for Hospital Communication - This is not a book, but a notebook of pictograms, pictures of selected phrases in sign language with English captions for use by hospital staff. Produced by the Justice Department, this notebook was distributed to many hospitals.
• Signs of Health - Produced by DeafSign, this book is for British health care workers.