Janis Kritzinger1, Marguerite Schneider2, Leslie Swartz3, Stine Hellum Braathen4. 1. Department of Psychology, Stellenbosch University, South Africa. Electronic address: janiskrit@gmail.com. 2. Department of Psychology, Stellenbosch University, South Africa; Alan J. Flisher Centre for Public Mental Health, Psychiatry and Mental health, University of Cape Town, South Africa. 3. Department of Psychology, Stellenbosch University, South Africa. 4. Department of Psychology, Stellenbosch University, South Africa; SINTEF Technology and Society, Department of Health, Norway.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To explore whether there are other factors besides communication difficulties that hamper access to health care services for deaf patients. METHODS: Qualitative methodology using semi-structured interviews with 16 deaf participants from the National Institute for the Deaf in Worcester and 3 Key informants from the Worcester area, South Africa. RESULTS: Communication difficulties were found to be a prominent barrier in accessing health care services. In addition to this interpersonal factors including lack of independent thought, overprotectedness, non-questioning attitude, and lack of familial communication interact with communication difficulties in a way that further hampers access to health care services. CONCLUSION: These interpersonal factors play a unique role in how open and accepting health services feel to deaf patients. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Health care services need to take cognizance of the fact that providing sign language interpreters in the health care setting will not necessarily make access more equitable for deaf patients, as they have additional barriers besides communication to overcome before successfully accessing health care services.
OBJECTIVE: To explore whether there are other factors besides communication difficulties that hamper access to health care services for deaf patients. METHODS: Qualitative methodology using semi-structured interviews with 16 deaf participants from the National Institute for the Deaf in Worcester and 3 Key informants from the Worcester area, South Africa. RESULTS: Communication difficulties were found to be a prominent barrier in accessing health care services. In addition to this interpersonal factors including lack of independent thought, overprotectedness, non-questioning attitude, and lack of familial communication interact with communication difficulties in a way that further hampers access to health care services. CONCLUSION: These interpersonal factors play a unique role in how open and accepting health services feel to deaf patients. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Health care services need to take cognizance of the fact that providing sign language interpreters in the health care setting will not necessarily make access more equitable for deaf patients, as they have additional barriers besides communication to overcome before successfully accessing health care services.
Authors: R Vergunst; L Swartz; K-G Hem; A H Eide; H Mannan; M MacLachlan; G Mji; S H Braathen; M Schneider Journal: BMC Health Serv Res Date: 2017-11-17 Impact factor: 2.655
Authors: Stine Hellum Braathen; Lifah Sanudi; Leslie Swartz; Thomas Jürgens; Hastings T Banda; Arne Henning Eide Journal: BMC Int Health Hum Rights Date: 2016-04-01