Communication Barriers and Health Literacy Gaps Undermine Equitable Healthcare for Deaf Sign Language Users: A Qualitative Study.
Introduction/Objective: Deaf sign language users face persistent barriers to equitable healthcare, yet evidence from non-Western and lower-income contexts remains limited. This study explored the lived experiences of Deaf undergraduate students in Thailand, examining how communication barriers, heal...
| Publicado en: | Inquiry (00469580) Vol. 63; pp. 1 - 10 |
|---|---|
| Autores principales: | , , , , , , |
| Formato: | research tables/charts Journal Article |
| Publicado: |
Sage Publications Inc.
8/12/2026
|
| Acceso en línea: | Ver este registro en EBSCOhost |
| fields | @attributes: recordID: 1 pdfLink: plink: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=196160126&site=ehost-live header: @attributes: shortDbName: ccm uiTerm: 196160126 longDbName: CINAHL Complete uiTag: AN controlInfo: bkinfo: dissinfo: jinfo: jid: 00469580 INQ jtl: Inquiry (00469580) issn: 00469580 maglogo: Y pubinfo: dt: 8/12/2026 vid: 63 pid: 344 pub: Sage Publications Inc. place: Thousand Oaks, California artinfo: ui: 196160126 196160126 196160126 10.1177/00469580261466592 196160126 ppf: 1 ppct: 9 formats: fmt: – @attributes: type: T – @attributes: type: P tig: atl: Communication Barriers and Health Literacy Gaps Undermine Equitable Healthcare for Deaf Sign Language Users: A Qualitative Study. aug: au: Srisirirat, Patiparn Sanguansap, Supak Samchusin, Natwasa Kaewdee, Penphak Kiewkam, Wipawee Pudchimphet, Wilaiporn Hathirat, Saipin affil: Chakri Naruebodindra Medical Institute, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Samut Prakan, Thailand sug: subj: Persons with Disabilities Psychosocial Factors Deaf-Blind Disorders Sign Language Communication Barriers Health Literacy Health Inequities Health Services Accessibility Human Descriptive Statistics Qualitative Studies Semi-Structured Interview Students, Undergraduate Psychosocial Factors Student Attitudes Purposive Sample Thematic Analysis Health Information Quality of Health Care Healthcare Disparities Videorecording ab: Introduction/Objective: Deaf sign language users face persistent barriers to equitable healthcare, yet evidence from non-Western and lower-income contexts remains limited. This study explored the lived experiences of Deaf undergraduate students in Thailand, examining how communication barriers, health literacy gaps, and system design intersect to shape their access to equitable care. Methods: We conducted a qualitative study using semi-structured, in-depth interviews with ten Deaf undergraduate students (aged 18–22 years). Participants were recruited through purposive sampling and interviews were conducted in Thai Sign Language (TSL), facilitated by two professional interpreters working in tandem. Data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke's inductive thematic analysis. Results: The analysis revealed four key themes: (1) communication barriers affecting all dimensions of healthcare experience, (2) inaccessible and hearing-centered health information, (3) the critical need for a Deaf-inclusive healthcare system, (4) the lifelong impact of growing up in hearing families on health literacy. These findings highlight how systemic communication gaps directly influence the quality of care and patient empowerment. Conclusion: Communication barriers and health literacy gaps are structural features of hearing-centered healthcare systems that require systemic rather than individual solutions. Deaf sign language must be reconceptualized as a central component of equitable public health communication, supported by institutional infrastructure and enforceable policy mandates. These findings contribute to the international effort to address structural determinants of health inequity among Deaf communities globally. pubtype: Academic Journal doctype: research tables/charts Journal Article ougenre: Article language: English refInfo: holdings: @attributes: islocal: N |
|---|