Reflecting on the Deaf Experience in Healthcare.

Abstract

This paper examines the integration of Deaf culture into patient-centered healthcare, focusing on resolving the challenges encountered by the Deaf community. It evaluates the contrast between the traditional medical model of disability and the cultural perspective of the Deaf community, advocating for healthcare systems to incorporate the cultural distinctiveness of Deaf patients. Utilizing an autoethnographic method, the paper shares the experience of a Deaf researcher in healthcare, thereby illuminating the communication and cultural obstacles prevalent in healthcare interactions. This research proposed pragmatic solutions, including the establishment of Deaf-centric communication protocols, and the cultural competency training of healthcare professionals. These strategies aimed to promote equitable access to health services and technology. The findings of this paper contribute to the field of healthcare, particularly in enhancing the patient experience for the Deaf community. The paper emphasized the importance of creating inclusive and empathetic healthcare environments and advocated for a joint effort among policymakers, healthcare practitioners, and the Deaf community to develop solutions that effectively address their specific needs.