Deaf and hard of hearing awareness training: A mentor-led workshop

People who are deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) comprise a significant and increasing proportion of the population. They face many barriers to accessing good health care and major communication challenges with health professionals. There is evidence that DHH awareness training for health professionals needs improvement but little information about how such training is incorporated into curricula. The research question we address is how to develop and deliver an effective workshop for students led by people who, by definition, have barriers to communication due to hearing loss and deafness.

Workshop development was initiated and led by a medical student as a course project, in collaboration with DHH people, other students, and university faculty in an iterative participatory educational design process, supported by a community-based organization that provides programs and services for DHH people. Development resulted in a pilot workshop suitable for all health professional students.

Three workshops were attended by a total of 49 students from 10 different health disciplines. Workshops were highly rated. Thematic analysis of post-workshop reflections written by occupational therapy students showed learning in the domains of knowledge, skills (practical tips and techniques), and attitudes (assumptions, motivation, reflection).

Partnership with a community organization makes it feasible for DHH people to design and facilitate workshops. The organization can provide the necessary environment, technology, and support, and identify people with lived experience to be workshop mentors. Workshops help make students more aware of the needs of DHH people and motivate them to provide better care.