Health care system accessibility. Experiences and perceptions of deaf people.

ABSTRACT:

Background

People who are deaf use health care services differently than the general population; little research has been carried out to understand the reasons.

Objective

To better understand the health care experiences of deaf people who communicate in American Sign Language.

Design

Qualitative analyses of focus group discussions in 3 U.S. cities.

Participants

Ninety-one deaf adults who communicate primarily in American Sign Language.

Measurements

We collected information about health care communication and perceptions of clinicians' attitudes. We elicited stories of both positive and negative encounters, as well as recommendations for improving health care.

Results

Communication difficulties were ubiquitous. Fear, mistrust, and frustration were

SUBMITTER: Steinberg AG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1828091 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature