How to communicate with patients who are D/deaf or have hearing loss

Nursing students' knowledge of working with D/deaf and hard of hearing patients: Evaluation of a deaf awareness elearning package

AIM

The aim of this study was to evaluate a newly developed Deaf awareness e-learning package with nursing students at one university in Wales, UK.

BACKGROUND

D/deaf and hard of hearing communities face a multitude of barriers when accessing and receiving healthcare leading to under diagnosis of health conditions and poorer health outcomes in general. Lack of awareness, teaching, and exposure to the D/deaf and hard of hearing populations during health care professional training programmes has been shown to contribute to this health disparity.

DESIGN

A descriptive cross-sectional design was used with two cohorts of undergraduate nursing students at one university in Wales, UK who were invited to undertake a Deaf awareness eLearning package developed with D/deaf communities in Wales.

METHODS

Nursing student engagement and course completion were monitored, and evaluation survey questionnaires were implemented.

RESULTS

The Deaf awareness eLearning package evaluation showed engagement with over 400 nursing students, who scored the package an overall mark (1 to 5 stars) of 4.72 out of 5. In total, 227 nursing students completed the eLearning package and received the certificate. Students reported finding the eLearning package very interactive, easy to navigate, thought the three-hour length was about right. However, we would like to know more about factors that influence student non-engagement and dropout.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that eLearning Deaf awareness programs can be successful in increasing knowledge and confidence around communicating with D/deaf and hard of hearing patients for nursing, with potential benefits for wider rollout across wider health and care student and staff populations.

REGISTRATION NUMBER

Grant number: 101010662\737073].

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

D/deaf and hard of hearing patients experience barriers in healthcare so health professionals need accessible Deaf awareness training. Our eLearning model shows promise.

Patient-healthcare provider communication and age-related hearing loss: a qualitative study of patients' perspectives

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of age-related hearing loss (ARHL) significantly increases in people aged 60 and older. Medical errors are frequently reported because of communication breakdown, especially for patients with ARHL.

AIMS

This qualitative study focuses on identifying the communication challenges faced by people aged over 65 with ARHL and potential ameliorative strategies based on the participants' personal experiences.

METHODS

Thirteen participants, attending a support service for older adults with hearing loss in the South of Ireland, were recruited using convenience sampling. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed using NVivo 12 software. Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis methodology was used to identify themes arising from two main study domains: difficulties faced during the most recent healthcare interaction and suggestions for improving overall healthcare communication.

RESULTS

Older adults with hearing loss identified general mishearing, lack of awareness and use of medical terminology to be the cause of ineffective communication. Raising awareness of the impact of presbycusis on clinical interaction among healthcare professionals was cited as being of crucial importance. Other helpful strategies include repeat and rephrase, use of written information, providing context, minimizing ambient noise, continuity of care, longer consultation length and good body language.

CONCLUSION

Effective clinical communication can be achieved through a clear understanding of the patient's perspective. Healthcare providers should be made aware of the hearing issues and associated communication difficulties posed, within the context of the development of patient-centred strategies to improve patient safety.

Experiences of accessing healthcare services by people with hearing loss/impairment (deaf) in sub-Saharan Africa: An integrative review

PURPOSE

The aim was to review published articles to identify experiences of people with hearing loss/impairment accessing healthcare services in sub-Saharan Africa.

DESIGN AND METHOD

The study was guided by Cooper's integrative review methodology. Articles published between 2010 and 2020 were identified through electronic databases. The search included: Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), PubMed, EBSCOHOST, MEDLINE, and Psyc INFO and using specific search terms. Ninety-one (91) articles were identified and screened for eligibility, and only seven articles were appraised using relevant tools for qualitative and quantitative designs.

FINDINGS

The articles that met the inclusion criteria were from the following sub-Saharan countries: Ghana (n = 2) South Africa (n = 3) Uganda (n = 1) and Zimbabwe (n = 1). Review analysis revealed seven (7) major themes categorized as: communication, lack of knowledge, discrimination, financial problem, healthcare workers' attitudes, and a lack of autonomy, security and privacy issues.

CONCLUSION

The review provides evidence that indicate the challenges faced by people with hearing loss/impairment in sub-Saharan Africa. Studies suggest that communication, lack of knowledge; financial problems, lack of autonomy and privacy, and a perception of being discriminated against were major impediments in accessing healthcare service. Undesirable attitudes were also a hindrance for healthcare access.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Communication is a major impediment in accessing healthcare for the hearing impaired people residing in sub-Saharan Africa.