TY - JOUR

T1 - Deaf sign-language using patients’ experiences in health emergencies in Wales: Perspectives for improving interactions

AU - Shank, Christopher

AU - Foltz, Anouschka

PY - 2020/10/23

Y1 - 2020/10/23

N2 - Health emergency services are a critical aspect of any health care system. They need to respond quickly and efficiently, especially in life-threatening situations. In a 2019 scoping study on health and access to health care services in the Deaf community in Wales, we noted the poor perception of health emergency services by this community. In this perspective article, we present reflections and opinions on health emergency services expressed by members of the Welsh Deaf community, with a focus on texting 999 and the availability of British Sign Language interpreters on short notice. We also present our viewpoint to deal with the issues in both settings.

AB - Health emergency services are a critical aspect of any health care system. They need to respond quickly and efficiently, especially in life-threatening situations. In a 2019 scoping study on health and access to health care services in the Deaf community in Wales, we noted the poor perception of health emergency services by this community. In this perspective article, we present reflections and opinions on health emergency services expressed by members of the Welsh Deaf community, with a focus on texting 999 and the availability of British Sign Language interpreters on short notice. We also present our viewpoint to deal with the issues in both settings.

KW - Deafness

KW - sign language

KW - Interpreters

KW - Access to services

KW - Inequality

KW - health emergency system

U2 - 10.3389/fcomm.2020.572855

DO - 10.3389/fcomm.2020.572855

M3 - Article

VL - 5

JO - Frontiers in Communication

JF - Frontiers in Communication

SN - 2297-900X

M1 - 572855

ER -