A Study to Investigate Ghanaian Radiography Students' Proficiency, Experiences, Confidence, and Knowledge Concerning Communication With Hearing-Impaired Patients

IF 2.1 Q3 RADIOLOGY, NUCLEAR MEDICINE & MEDICAL IMAGING

Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences Pub Date : 2026-09-01 Epub Date: 2026-03-20 DOI:10.1002/jmrs.70082

Seth Kwadjo Angmorterh, Mariella Mawunyo Amoussou-Gohoungo, Jerry Korley, Adam Inusah, Olawale Ogundiran, Sonia Aboagye, Patience Nyamekye Agyemang, Nathaniel Awentiirin Angaag, Wise Tsivanyo, Octavia Nyamekye Adjoa Amoabeng, Godfred Adusei, Jennifer Bannerman-Williams, Nii Korley Kortei, Riaan van de Venter

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Introduction

Effective communication in healthcare improves patient outcomes, especially the hearing-impaired. Ghanaian radiography students undertake clinical placements, rotating through units with different radiological modalities, and interacting with different patient groups, including patients with hearing disabilities. However, no study investigated their proficiency and experiences communicating with hearing-impaired patients. This study aimed to investigate Ghanaian radiography students' proficiency, experiences, confidence, and knowledge concerning communication with hearing-impaired patients.

Methods

A quantitative approach with a descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed. Convenience sampling was used to recruit undergraduate diagnostic radiography students from one Ghanaian public university. An online validated survey was used. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS).

Results

The study involved 152 participants [males = 93 (61.2%), females = 59 (38.8%)], aged 17–32 years (mean = 21 ± 2.3 years). Most participants could not communicate using sign language (n = 147, 96.7%). The majority of the participants had not interacted with hearing-impaired patients during clinical placement (n = 103, 67.8%). Students reported both positive and negative experiences. There was a statistically significant association between year of study and students' interaction with hearing-impaired patients (p = 0.017). Seventy-six participants (50%) demonstrated low confidence in communicating effectively with hearing-impaired patients. There was a statistically significant association between biological sex and students' confidence in communicating with hearing-impaired patients (p = 0.043), with the male students expressing a higher confidence level.

Conclusion

The majority of participants could not communicate using sign language, had no prior experience working with hearing-impaired patients, and had low levels of confidence interacting with hearing-impaired patients. Participants demonstrated some knowledge regarding care practices for hearing-impaired patients. The study highlights a curriculum gap in preparing undergraduate diagnostic radiography students to provide effective care for hearing-impaired patients.

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加纳放射学学生与听障患者沟通的熟练程度、经验、信心和知识的调查研究。

在医疗保健中有效的沟通可以改善患者的预后，尤其是听力受损患者。加纳放射学专业的学生进行临床实习，在不同的放射学单元中轮换，并与不同的患者群体互动，包括听力障碍患者。然而，没有研究调查他们与听障患者沟通的熟练程度和经验。本研究旨在调查加纳放射学学生与听障患者沟通的熟练程度、经验、信心和知识。方法：采用描述性、横断面研究设计的定量方法。采用方便抽样方法，从加纳一所公立大学招收放射诊断学本科学生。使用了在线验证调查。使用社会科学统计软件包（SPSS）进行描述性和推断性统计。结果：共纳入研究对象152人，男性93人（61.2%），女性59人（38.8%），年龄17 ~ 32岁，平均21±2.3岁。大多数参与者不能使用手语进行交流（n = 147, 96.7%）。大多数参与者在临床安置期间没有与听力受损患者互动（n = 103, 67.8%）。学生们报告了积极和消极的经历。学习年限与学生与听障患者的互动有统计学意义（p = 0.017）。76名参与者（50%）在与听力受损患者有效沟通方面表现出较低的信心。学生的生理性别与学生与听障患者交流的信心有统计学意义（p = 0.043），其中男生的信心水平更高。结论：大多数参与者无法使用手语进行交流，没有与听障患者打交道的经验，并且与听障患者互动的信心水平较低。参与者展示了一些关于听力受损患者护理实践的知识。该研究强调了在准备本科诊断放射学学生为听力受损患者提供有效护理方面的课程差距。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences RADIOLOGY, NUCLEAR MEDICINE & MEDICAL IMAGING-

CiteScore

3.20

自引率

4.80%

发文量

审稿时长

8 weeks

期刊介绍： Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences (JMRS) is an international and multidisciplinary peer-reviewed journal that accepts manuscripts related to medical imaging / diagnostic radiography, radiation therapy, nuclear medicine, medical ultrasound / sonography, and the complementary disciplines of medical physics, radiology, radiation oncology, nursing, psychology and sociology. Manuscripts may take the form of: original articles, review articles, commentary articles, technical evaluations, case series and case studies. JMRS promotes excellence in international medical radiation science by the publication of contemporary and advanced research that encourages the adoption of the best clinical, scientific and educational practices in international communities. JMRS is the official professional journal of the Australian Society of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy (ASMIRT) and the New Zealand Institute of Medical Radiation Technology (NZIMRT).