Abstract
Background: D/deaf and hard of hearing populations are at higher risk for experiencing physical and mental health problems compared to hearing populations. In addition, they commonly encounter barriers to accessing and benefiting from health services, which largely stem from challenges they face in communicating with healthcare providers. Healthcare providers commonly lack tailored communication skills in caring for D/deaf and hard of hearing populations, which lead to difficulties and dissatisfaction for both staff and D/deaf and hard of hearing communities. This research project aims to develop and evaluate a capacity-building intervention for healthcare providers with the goal of increasing their awareness of D/deaf and hard of hearing individuals' experiences with the healthcare system, their distinct needs, and improving their capacity to communicate effectively with this patient population.Methods: This research project features a participative action research design using qualitative and quantitative methods. Consistent with participative action research, the study will actively involve the target populations, key stakeholders and representative associations. The intervention will be developed and tested through iterative phases. The Integrated Model of Training Evaluation and Effectiveness will guide prospective evaluation of the intervention. The latter will involve qualitative and quantitative assessments in participants before and after the intervention and at 6-months follow-up.Discussion: Results will contribute to research aimed at decreasing barriers to accessing and benefiting from healthcare services for D/deaf and hard of hearing individuals. Findings will be presented to representative associations and political authorities, as well as disseminated at research conferences and in peer-reviewed journals.
Highlights
Around 466 million people experience some type of hearing loss worldwide [i.e., hearing loss > 40 and 30 dB in the better hearing ear in adults and children, respectively; [1]] and this number may reach 900 million by 2050
Setting This research project1 will take place at the Center for Primary Care and Public Health in Lausanne (Unisanté) in collaboration with several medical institutions involved with the target population in the Canton of Vaud, D/deaf and hard of hearing representative associations and D/deaf and hard of hearing individuals
This paper describes the protocol of an action research study aimed at developing and evaluating a capacity building intervention for healthcare staff to increase their communication skills and awareness of D/deaf and hard of hearing individuals experience and specific needs
Summary
Around 466 million people experience some type of hearing loss worldwide [i.e., hearing loss > 40 and 30 dB in the better hearing ear in adults and children, respectively; [1]] and this number may reach 900 million by 2050 This group includes D/deaf and hard of hearing individuals who self-identify themselves as part of the hearing population (lowercase d) or as part of the Deaf community (with a capital D), a minority community with its own culture. D/deaf and hard of hearing populations are at higher risk for experiencing physical and mental health problems compared to hearing populations They commonly encounter barriers to accessing and benefiting from health services, which largely stem from challenges they face in communicating with healthcare providers. This research project aims to develop and evaluate a capacity-building intervention for healthcare providers with the goal of increasing their awareness of D/deaf and hard of hearing individuals’ experiences with the healthcare system, their distinct needs, and improving their capacity to communicate effectively with this patient population
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