A chair-side patient communication system for use with a chair having at least one armrest, the system including a display screen and light mounted in association with the chair, a computer system coupled to the display screen; a controller mounted in the armrest of the chair for controlling the computer system to provide access to the information to be displayed on the display screen; and at least one speaker mounted in the headrest of the chair. The system enables a user in the chair to remain stationary while controlling the display of the information via the controller on the armrest of the chair.