BARRIERS TO COMMUNICATION

Many health care workers report feeling uncomfortable and inexperienced when talking with Deaf patients.

Studies also reveal that health care workers have a limited understanding and misconception of Deaf culture. (Lapinski et al., 2015)

Although most health care workers understand the importance of clear communication with Deaf patients the majority communicate in ways that do not utilize an interpreter.

Although most acknowledge the importance of utilizing interpreters when communicating with Deaf patients, few actually do so. This is when many Deaf and hearing impaired patients experience these so called barriers to health care.

Deaf patients report feeling uncomfortable and have fear and frustration towards health care staff.

Statistics show, in 2006, 91 deaf patients associated their health care with words such as negativity, fear, mistrust and frustration.

The reasoning for the inadequate use of interpreters by health care staff varies from lack of knowledge to the belief that it will take extra time and effort to organise an interpreter. (N.W. Comstock., 2015)

90% of first year medical students who participated in a “Deaf Strong Hospital program” acknowledged that it helped them understand the importance of communicating with deaf patients. A majority of these students also indicated the need for addition training of this area in their degree. (K. Sheppard 2013)

Inadequate communication between health care providers and deaf patients impedes the rapport and worsens treatment outcomes.

Communication is an an area that requires improvement. Studies suggest that training health care providers in Deaf culture competency can vastly increase their ability to care for the Deaf community. (K. Sheppard., 2013)