A communication protocol to help patients with sensory impairment

Area of Science:

• Healthcare accessibility
• Disability studies
• Gerontology

Background:

• The Disabilities Discrimination Act mandates equal healthcare access for patients with sight, hearing, and speech impairments.
• An aging population is increasing the prevalence of sensory impairments among patients.
• Effective communication is crucial for equitable healthcare delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report on the development of a protocol to address communication needs.
• To ensure equitable healthcare access for patients with sensory impairments.
• To improve communication strategies within a healthcare trust.

Main Methods:

• A group of healthcare staff collaborated to establish a new protocol.
• The protocol focused on identifying and addressing patient communication barriers.
• Implementation occurred within a specific healthcare trust setting.

Main Results:

• A protocol was successfully developed and implemented.
• The protocol aimed to systematically tackle communication challenges.
• The initiative sought to improve patient experience for those with sensory impairments.

Conclusions:

• Healthcare trusts can develop protocols to meet the communication needs of patients with sensory impairments.
• Proactive measures are necessary to ensure compliance with disability discrimination legislation.
• Improving communication access enhances healthcare equity for an aging demographic.