TY - JOUR
T1 - Nurse practitioner perceptions of barriers and facilitators in providing health care for deaf American Sign Language users
T2 - A qualitative socio-ecological approach
AU - Pendergrass, Kathy M.
AU - Nemeth, Lynne
AU - Newman, Susan D.
AU - Jenkins, Carolyn M.
AU - Jones, Elaine G.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
©2017 American Association of Nurse Practitioners
PY - 2017/6
Y1 - 2017/6
N2 - Background and purpose: Nurse practitioners (NPs), as well as all healthcare clinicians, have a legal and ethical responsibility to provide health care for deaf American Sign Language (ASL) users equal to that of other patients, including effective communication, autonomy, and confidentiality. However, very little is known about the feasibility to provide equitable health care. The purpose of this study was to examine NP perceptions of barriers and facilitators in providing health care for deaf ASL users. Data sources: Semistructured interviews in a qualitative design using a socio-ecological model (SEM). Conclusions: Barriers were identified at all levels of the SEM. NPs preferred interpreters to facilitate the visit, but were unaware of their role in assuring effective communication is achieved. A professional sign language interpreter was considered a last resort when all other means of communication failed. Gesturing, note-writing, lip-reading, and use of a familial interpreter were all considered facilitators. Implications for practice: Interventions are needed at all levels of the SEM. Resources are needed to provide awareness of deaf communication issues and legal requirements for caring for deaf signers for practicing and student NPs. Protocols need to be developed and present in all healthcare facilities for hiring interpreters as well as quick access to contact information for these interpreters.
AB - Background and purpose: Nurse practitioners (NPs), as well as all healthcare clinicians, have a legal and ethical responsibility to provide health care for deaf American Sign Language (ASL) users equal to that of other patients, including effective communication, autonomy, and confidentiality. However, very little is known about the feasibility to provide equitable health care. The purpose of this study was to examine NP perceptions of barriers and facilitators in providing health care for deaf ASL users. Data sources: Semistructured interviews in a qualitative design using a socio-ecological model (SEM). Conclusions: Barriers were identified at all levels of the SEM. NPs preferred interpreters to facilitate the visit, but were unaware of their role in assuring effective communication is achieved. A professional sign language interpreter was considered a last resort when all other means of communication failed. Gesturing, note-writing, lip-reading, and use of a familial interpreter were all considered facilitators. Implications for practice: Interventions are needed at all levels of the SEM. Resources are needed to provide awareness of deaf communication issues and legal requirements for caring for deaf signers for practicing and student NPs. Protocols need to be developed and present in all healthcare facilities for hiring interpreters as well as quick access to contact information for these interpreters.
KW - Communication
KW - advanced practice nurse
KW - deafness
KW - ethics
KW - legal
KW - nurse practitioner
KW - qualitative research
KW - sign language
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U2 - 10.1002/2327-6924.12461
DO - 10.1002/2327-6924.12461
M3 - Article
C2 - 28419769
AN - SCOPUS:85018602267
SN - 2327-6886
VL - 29
SP - 316
EP - 323
JO - Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners
JF - Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners
IS - 6
ER -