Communication with deaf patients: knowledge, beliefs, and practices of physicians

Article Abstract:

Many physicians believe that sign language interpreters are the optimal method to facilitate communication with deaf patients, although few physicians make use of interpreters in their practices. Researchers surveyed 73 physicians about their encounters with deaf people, their beliefs and knowledge about techniques to communicate with the deaf, and the methods the physicians use to communicate with deaf patients. Approximately 63% of physicians believed that sign language interpreters should be used initially to facilitate communication with deaf patients who know sign language. In practice, however, writing was the most common communication technique used to interact with deaf patients. Only 22% of physicians used sign language interpreters more often than other methods to communicate with deaf patients. Physicians who used sign language interpreters more frequently than other communication techniques were more likely to have had past contact with deaf people, believe that signing should be the first communication method used with deaf patients, and recognize that lipreading is an inefficient communication technique.

Usage, Telecommunications systems, Sign language, Deaf, Deaf persons

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Medical students' attitudes toward providing care for the underserved: are we training socially responsible physicians?

Article Abstract:

Fourth-year medical students and male medical students appear to have less favorable attitudes toward the care of the medically underserved than first-year and female students. Of 124 first-year students, 83 were male and 41 were female, and of 89 fourth-year students, 65 were male and 24 were female. Students were surveyed on their attitudes toward access to medical care and the role of physicians, institutions and themselves in providing care to the poor. Overall, fourth year students were less likely than first year students to agree that access to medical care is a right and that everyone should have access to basic and emergency care whether or not they can pay for it. Fourth year students were less willing to provide services to the poor and were less likely to believe that they could make an impact on the health care problems facing the country. Females, however, had consistently more favorable attitudes toward provision of care, regardless of whether they were a first-year or fourth-year student.

Social aspects, Medical students, Medically underserved areas

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Violence, values, and gender

Article Abstract:

Women are more likely to be abused by men with whom they have a long-term relationship. These women can be described as having 'adult trauma history', with a history of injuries resulting from physical assault. A recent study found that 17% of the women seen at a prenatal clinic reported being abused, and 60% said they were abused on a regular basis. Another study found that one-half to three-fourths of murder-suicides involve a man who kills his wife or girlfriend and then himself. The American Medical Association believes that physicians should become more active in diagnosing abuse in their female patients and referring them to the appropriate social service agency. They should document the woman's abuse history, and this information should not be released to anyone without the woman's consent.

Care and treatment, Editorial, Abused women

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