The accuracy of communication between health care providers and their Miccosukee medical patients was measured. Nine questions, covering complaint, diagnosis, medication, and return visits, were asked of 25 Indian patients at a Public Health Service clinic. Results showed that 65 percent of the patients could not correctly answer questions such as whether and what medicine was prescribed or when to take the medicine. This compares to a study of non-Indians among whom 26 percent could not answer such questions. After running correlations with age and English fluency, the authors concluded that both of these variables influenced the patient's memory of the doctor's instructions. The importance of accurate communication between health care provider and patient is pointed out.