DEI/Health Equity
1
Date of Presentation
5-4-2023 12:00 AM
Poster Abstract
The term deaf refers to individuals with total or partial hearing loss. However, it encompasses much more, representing a culture—Deaf culture. The distinction in spelling is important: "Deaf," with an uppercase "D," refers to individuals born Deaf who have been raised within Deaf culture, while "deaf," with a lowercase "d," typically refers to those who lost their hearing later in life and may not have grown up in Deaf culture. People who identify as deaf, Deaf, or hard of hearing (d/D/hoh) are often mistakenly assumed to have cognitive impairments or are broadly categorized as disabled. However, many in the community view deafness as a cultural identity rather than a disability.
Most members of the d/D/hoh community use American Sign Language (ASL), though variations exist. This can create communication gaps, particularly in healthcare settings, where medical terminology may not be easily understood. This research examines the challenges and proposed interventions to improve care for the d/D/hoh community in clinical environments.
Data were sourced from PubMed, Scopus, and other databases. Findings indicate that d/Deaf patients are less likely to trust their physicians or fully understand diagnoses and follow-up instructions. A lack of eye contact from healthcare providers, a critical aspect of effective communication in Deaf culture, is a frequent source of frustration. Additionally, women reported feeling embarrassed when discussing health issues through an interpreter.
Case-based learning has been shown to raise awareness of these communication barriers while providing insight on more inclusive care. The challenges identified in this research, such as frustration and poor follow-up, underscore the need for greater cultural training in healthcare settings. Efforts can be put forth to make the clinical setting a more inclusive environment for the d/D/hoh community.
Keywords
Deafness, Persons With Hearing Impairments, Culturally Competent Care, Communication Barriers, Health Services Accessibility
Disciplines
Communication Sciences and Disorders | Health Communication | Medical Education | Medicine and Health Sciences | Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases | Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms | Patient Safety | Quality Improvement
Document Type
Poster
Included in
Communication Sciences and Disorders Commons, Health Communication Commons, Medical Education Commons, Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases Commons, Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Commons, Patient Safety Commons, Quality Improvement Commons
Addressing the Health Needs of the (D/d)eaf and Hard of Hearing Community
The term deaf refers to individuals with total or partial hearing loss. However, it encompasses much more, representing a culture—Deaf culture. The distinction in spelling is important: "Deaf," with an uppercase "D," refers to individuals born Deaf who have been raised within Deaf culture, while "deaf," with a lowercase "d," typically refers to those who lost their hearing later in life and may not have grown up in Deaf culture. People who identify as deaf, Deaf, or hard of hearing (d/D/hoh) are often mistakenly assumed to have cognitive impairments or are broadly categorized as disabled. However, many in the community view deafness as a cultural identity rather than a disability.
Most members of the d/D/hoh community use American Sign Language (ASL), though variations exist. This can create communication gaps, particularly in healthcare settings, where medical terminology may not be easily understood. This research examines the challenges and proposed interventions to improve care for the d/D/hoh community in clinical environments.
Data were sourced from PubMed, Scopus, and other databases. Findings indicate that d/Deaf patients are less likely to trust their physicians or fully understand diagnoses and follow-up instructions. A lack of eye contact from healthcare providers, a critical aspect of effective communication in Deaf culture, is a frequent source of frustration. Additionally, women reported feeling embarrassed when discussing health issues through an interpreter.
Case-based learning has been shown to raise awareness of these communication barriers while providing insight on more inclusive care. The challenges identified in this research, such as frustration and poor follow-up, underscore the need for greater cultural training in healthcare settings. Efforts can be put forth to make the clinical setting a more inclusive environment for the d/D/hoh community.