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Hospital Pharmacists' Perspectives on Communicating with Hearing-Impaired Patients in Pharmacy Settings: A
Nasser M Alorfi1,2, Fahad S Alshehri1,2, Ahmed M Ashour1,2
1Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, College of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
Background:
Effective communication between hospital pharmacists and patients with disability is essential to ensure proper usage of prescribed medication, medication safety, and therapeutic outcomes. However, patients with hearing impairments encounter unique challenges that are often overlooked in pharmacy practice. There is limited evidence regarding how hospital pharmacists in Saudi Arabia address communication barriers with this patient group.
Objective:
To explore the experiences, challenges, and suggestions of hospital pharmacists in Saudi Arabia regarding communication with hearing-impaired patients in pharmacy settings.
Methods:
A qualitative descriptive study was conducted using an open-ended online survey distributed to hospital pharmacists across Saudi Arabia between April and May 2025. Twenty-six pharmacists responded to eight open-ended questions covering their experiences, training, communication barriers, and institutional support. Responses were analyzed thematically to identify key themes and insights.
Results:
Six major themes resulted from the analysis: (1) lack of formal training and preparedness, (2) limited direct experience with hearing-impaired patients, (3) communication barriers including time constraints and lack of tools, (4) suggestions for communication aids such as tablets and visual boards, (5) institutional responsibilities for training and infrastructure, and (6) pharmacists' recommendations for inclusive service improvement. The findings highlight a critical gap in pharmacist training and system-level policies to support disability-inclusive communication in hospital pharmacy practice.
Conclusion:
Hospital pharmacists in Saudi Arabia reported limited preparedness and suggested various practical solutions, including written communication tools and visual aids. Findings indicate opportunities for structured training and institutional support to enhance inclusive communication.
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