Bridging Communication in the Healthcare System
Based on my experience on the clinical sites, I have encountered many differently abled patients. However, there seems to be a number of deaf persons seeking medical attention at both the public and private institutions in Trinidad and Tobago. Have you ever encountered this experience where you have to speak louder or find yourself shouting to your patient(s)? Have you ever considered how this make the patient(s) feel? After much thought, I made the choice to sign up for a short course in Sign Language hosted by the Society of Radiographers of Trinidad & Tobago (SRTT) in collaboration with Caribbean Sign Language Centre (CSLC). “Bridging a gap!” This is how I would describe what studying sign language would allow you to do as a healthcare provider.
Learning to speak to the deaf and those hard of hearing is indeed a leap forward for the many persons who signed up from the public health sector to learn Level 1 Sign Language. Too many deaf and persons hard of hearing are forgotten or pushed aside because of their disabilities. Now is the time to change this, and thanks to the SRTT and the CSLC, the deaf and those hard of hearing now have a medium to communicate , while seeking medical attention. An array of health personnel’s such as: Medical Doctors, Student Doctors, Nurses, Student Nurses, Radiographers, Radiotherapist, Student Radiographers, Patient Care Assistants, Customer Service Representatives and Medical Secretaries made up the compliment for the first batch of persons to be certified in Level 1 Sign Language during the period of 27th March to 2nd May.
Individuals undergoing the course have gained much competence in communicating with the deaf and those hard of hearing. This confidence was gained in just under two weeks after being taught by Mr. Jamal Legen a person who is hard of hearing. Even though there was a translator on hand to assist him, (Ms. Anessa Hamilton) most of the teaching was facilitated by him. Their encouraging method of teaching made it fun and understandable for all in attendance. It required practice and more practice of our hand movements to ensure that all can perform well and understand what we are signing before proceeding forward with another lesson.
Learning the language of the deaf and those hard of hearing is truly an accomplishment! As healthcare providers, now equipped with this skill we are all anxiously looking forward to going forth to deliver healthcare to this vulnerable part of society, one which has been forgotten for far too long.
Submitted by:Shastri Ramroop
Personnel Manager - EMA Youth Ambassadors
Contact: 1-868-470-8229