Access to Healthcare Services for the Deaf: A Scoping Review of Reviews

Cultural and linguistic minorities are at a higher risk of poorer health, poorer health outcomes, and poorer quality of care, in part due to a lack of access to healthcare services. Inequities in access to healthcare services have been found in several Deaf populations and are associated with poorer physical and mental health outcomes.

This review aims to describe the breadth, scope, and nature of the literature on access to healthcare services for Deaf adults.

A scoping review was conducted according to Arksey and O'Malley. Ten scientific databases and grey literature were searched for reviews published between 2000 and 2025 in English, French, American Sign Language, and Quebec Sign Language. A chart form was created for extraction. Results were analyzed using narrative synthesis and the Levesque et al. conceptual framework of access to healthcare. Research priorities were identified during a deliberative workshop with members of the Deaf community in Québec, Canada.

Eighteen reviews were included in this study. All dimensions of the conceptual framework have been explored (approachability, ability to perceive, acceptability, ability to seek, availability and accommodation, ability to reach, affordability, ability to pay, appropriateness, and ability to engage). Our analysis revealed new factors influencing access that need to be considered: cultural competence, communication barriers, sociodemographic characteristics, and technological support. We also identified that the social inclusion of the Deaf impacts multiple dimensions in a cross-sectional manner.

The Deaf face barriers to accessing healthcare services at every stage of their pathway. This review has identified several areas of access where further research is needed to address the disparities experienced by Deaf communities. There is an urgent need to involve the Deaf community in shaping the research on their access to healthcare services.

A Deaf patient partner contributed as a co-researcher to the study design, the conduct of the review, and the interpretation of the data. This collaboration helped to contextualise and interpret the findings of the review.