Attitudes of Healthcare Students and Professionals Toward Patients with Physical Disability

Abstract

Overall, healthcare students' and professionals' attitudes toward persons with physical disabilities were favorable. However, some studies revealed the possibility that some healthcare providers demonstrate fear and anxiety with the challenge of caring for a patient with physical disabilities. Some of the factors associated with providers' attitudes toward patients with physical disabilities are potentially modifiable (e.g., experience) and could be the target of educational interventions to ameliorate this fear and facilitate higher quality care.

Engagement of dietetic students and students with hearing loss: Experiences and perceptions of both groups

“…[1] The deaf and persons with hearing loss (D/HL) are a minority group worldwide that faces challenges to achieve optimal health owing to various factors, [1][2][3][4] such as inequities in accessing healthcare, low reading levels, writing levels that often do not exceed those of 6th-grade English pupils, [3,5] not understanding health-related terminology, with a resultant inability to interpret written prescriptions, [5] missed appointments and misunderstood diagnoses. [1] D/HL find the attitude of healthcare professionals (HCPs) patronising, creating a barrier between them and HCPs in general. Due to poor communication, there is very little transfer of information, leading to inaccurate interpretations by D/HL, which may negatively affect health outcomes.…”

“…[2,11] Currently, the literature on the experience of HCPs providing services to D/HL relates to medical, nursing, occupational therapy and speech therapy professionals or students. [14] This study is the first to explore the experiences of dietetic students in providing health-promotion sessions to deaf students, a vulnerable group, [4] who have the right to health and to be informed. [4] They are more likely to be forgotten in healthcare programmes owing to language differences, health knowledge limitations and cross-cultural differences.…”

“…Due to poor communication, there is very little transfer of information, leading to inaccurate interpretations by D/HL, which may negatively affect health outcomes. [1,2,5] There is a need to educate HCPs about the unique problems faced by D/HL, [2,4] as even well-educated deaf individuals may have difficulty understanding written English. Mastering of basic sign language by HCPs could help to build trust during consultations, as the use of interpreters could lead to fear of being judged by the interpreters [1] and has the potential of breaching confidentiality [5] and privacy.…”

“…[1,2,5] There is a need to educate HCPs about the unique problems faced by D/HL, [2,4] as even well-educated deaf individuals may have difficulty understanding written English. Mastering of basic sign language by HCPs could help to build trust during consultations, as the use of interpreters could lead to fear of being judged by the interpreters [1] and has the potential of breaching confidentiality [5] and privacy. Enhancing these communication skills among HCPs will comply with the development of professional competencies that extend beyond disciplinary expertise or technical knowledge, such as those of communicator, collaborator, scholar, health advocate, manager and leader.…”

“…[1,2,5,11,12] Contact with NID students provides an opportunity to raise awareness among SU students of the unique needs of the D/HL. [2,11] Currently, the literature on the experience of HCPs providing services to D/HL relates to medical, nursing, occupational therapy and speech therapy professionals or students.…”