Recorded presentation

Amanda O'Hearn, PhD, Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester Medical Center, 300 Crittenden Blvd, Box Psych, Rochester, NY 14642, 585275-2285, amanda_ohearn@urmc.rochester.edu

Background: Research suggests that patients who are satisfied with their physician are more likely to adhere to treatment and are healthier than those who do not adhere. American Sign Language is the third most commonly used language in the US, but physicians are often ill-prepared to work with deaf patients. How does this mismatch impact patient care? Methods: The current study sought to identify what factors impact deaf patient’s satisfaction with physicians as well as to identify disparities in health outcomes between deaf and hearing pregnant women via survey methods. Results: Perceived quality of communication was significantly related to overall satisfaction. Deaf women’s expectations about interpreters being met and exceeded significantly predicted overall satisfaction. Physician concern was significantly correlated with satisfaction. Deaf women were less satisfied than hearing women with communication and were less satisfied with overall care. Hearing women received more appointments and reported higher incidence of being told by their physicians about abstinence from alcohol. Deaf women also reported receiving less information from physicians than hearing women. Conclusions: Learning how to improve communication strategies not only benefits deaf patients, but can also be applied to other linguistic minority populations. Doctors who provide interpreters when requested will result in more satisfied patients, but good communication also includes physician concern and efforts to ensure whatever communication mode is used is clear. Deaf patients appear to have lower expectations regarding communication, so even marginal efforts by physician is likely to be well received by the patient and improve satisfaction/adherence to treatment.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participant will be able to

• Describe variables which contribute to deaf patient's satisfcation with medical care.
• Identify disparities in medical care received in this sample of deaf and hearing women.
• Articulate ways of improving accessibility for deaf patients in medical settings.
• Discuss barriers (from both the patient and the physician) to care and ways of reducing these.

Keywords: Deaf Patients, Barriers to Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation