The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #56625

Helen Margellos, MPH, Sinai Health System, Sinai Urban Health Institute, California at 15th Street, K439, Chicago, IL 60608, 773-257-5259, marhe@sinai.org, Raymond Rodgers, Community Mental Health Center, Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Cener, 938 West Nelson, Chicago, IL 60657, Lisa Kivland, Advocate Medical Group, 825 East Golf Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60005, Lewis Lummer, Care Management, Sinai Health System, 2720 West 15th Street, Chicago, IL 60608, Melvin Patterson, Advocate Health Care System, Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60657, and David A. Ebert, MD, Department of Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Frankel 908, 15th and California, Chicago, IL 60608.

Persons who are deaf and depend on sign language for communication represent a distinct linguistic and cultural population. Prior studies have suggested that multiple socioeconomic factors in this population contribute to health status, knowledge, and utilization of health services which differ from other groups. This abstract reports on the initial phase of a longer-term project intended to improve access to care, health knowledge and behavior, and outcomes in the deaf community in the Chicago metropolitan area. In this first phase, a survey was developed to characterize the current status for persons who are deaf in the Chicago area, including racial/ethnic minorities. Survey results will be used to guide subsequent interventions in health service delivery and health education, and will provide a baseline for evaluation purposes. Survey domains included: demographics, access to care (including interpretation), knowledge of diseases and wellness behaviors, and satisfaction with care. The choice of these domains took into account the findings of previous studies, extensive prior experience in service delivery to this community, and the potential for comparison of findings with other populations. Similar considerations led to specific inclusion factors distinguishing our study population, including communication preferences and age of onset of deafness. Input of deaf team members was critical throughout. The communication styles and literacy levels of our subjects required the development of particular surveying techniques, with appropriate translation of written materials into sign language. Our presentation will illustrate this process further, including unique challenges, experiences, preliminary findings, and subsequent adjustments in the surveying approach.

Learning Objectives:

• Review the findings of prior studies on health status, knowledge, and utilization of services by persons who are deaf.
• Identify the factors considered in selecting domains for a health survey of persons who are deaf. Characterize specific inclusion factors for a survey of persons who are Deaf. Describe the translation of survey questions into sign language. List modifications in surveying approach which were identified in the initial stages of this survey of persons who are deaf.

Keywords: Deaf Patients, Survey

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Sinai Health System Advocate Health Care System
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Employment, Sinai Health System