The healthcare system is continually evolving to become more inclusive and patient-centered. However, one group that often remains underserved is the deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) community. A recent study titled "Emergency department patient-centered care perspectives from deaf and hard-of-hearing patients" sheds light on the unique challenges faced by DHH patients in emergency departments (EDs) and offers valuable insights for practitioners aiming to improve their skills in providing equitable care.
The Unique Challenges Faced by DHH Patients
DHH patients are at a higher risk of using ED services compared to their hearing counterparts. They often experience longer stays and report poor communication with healthcare providers. The study highlights two main themes:
- Complex Decision-Making Process: DHH patients engage in a detailed decision-making process before deciding to visit the ED. This involves assessing their symptoms, considering past healthcare experiences, and evaluating available resources.
- Differing Care Experiences: The study found that patient-centered care varies significantly between DHH ASL-users and English speakers. ASL-users often face stereotypes and inadequate communication support, which can lead to poorer health outcomes.
Recommendations for Practitioners
The study underscores the importance of understanding the diverse needs of DHH patients and offers several recommendations for improving care:
- Cultural Competency Training: Healthcare providers should undergo training to better understand the cultural nuances of DHH patients. This includes recognizing the diversity within the DHH community, such as differences between ASL-users and those who primarily use spoken language.
- Enhanced Communication Access: Ensuring effective communication is crucial. Providers should be familiar with their organization’s communication access plans and advocate for necessary accommodations like on-site interpreters or high-quality video remote interpreting (VRI) services.
- Pain Management Improvements: DHH patients often report inadequate pain management due to communication barriers. Utilizing tools like visual pain scales can help bridge this gap, but practitioners must ensure these tools are culturally relevant and understood by all patients.
The Role of Technology
The integration of technology in healthcare can play a significant role in improving patient-centered care for DHH individuals. Electronic health records (EHRs) can include alerts or notifications about a patient's preferred communication methods, ensuring that all staff are aware of and can meet these needs. Additionally, creating accessible educational resources in ASL can empower patients by providing them with clear information about their health conditions and treatment plans.
The Importance of Further Research
This study is a call to action for further research into the experiences of DHH patients in healthcare settings. More qualitative studies involving both patients and providers can provide deeper insights into how to effectively address the barriers faced by this community.
The findings also highlight the need for more comprehensive data collection on DHH patient experiences across different healthcare environments. Such data can inform policy changes and lead to more inclusive healthcare practices that benefit not only DHH individuals but all patients who face communication challenges.
A Path Forward
The journey towards truly inclusive healthcare requires ongoing commitment from practitioners to understand and address the unique needs of all patient groups. By implementing the recommendations from this study, healthcare providers can make significant strides in improving patient-centered care for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals.
Emergency department patient-centered care perspectives from deaf and hard-of-hearing patients
