Communication Challenges While Dealing with a Deaf and Non-Speaking Patient in the Emergency Departments in Yemen

Abstract Background:This research focuses on improving communication between emergency doctors and deaf and dumb patients in Yemen.Which the effective social communication with all patients in the emergency department is essential for case management. If there are any problems or obstacles in this communication, the patient's safety is at risk. This study aims to raise the culture of the Yemeni doctor and feed the community awareness especially for the deaf and dumb category and improve the level of medical quality and address the problems that occur during communication between them as it helps emergency doctors and deaf and dumb patients to understand each other.Methodology:A cross-sectional and descriptive study analysis was conducted on emergency physicians working in the general emergency department. Data were collected from physicians working in 8 different government centers in 8 governorates around Yemen (Sana'a, Hadramout, Aden, Al Hodeida, Thamar, Ibb, Taiz, Amran). Data analysis was conducted using the SPSS statistical program.Results:The majority of the participants in this study were emergency physicians (38%), while the percentage of resident physicians in the emergency department was 43% and volunteers in the emergency department was 19%. They reported that they met the most deaf and mute cases (90.59%), which makes the subject common and therefore we find that most doctors feel anxious when dealing with these cases because they are not prepared or do not have the capabilities that help them deal with them. A large number of them recommended holding awareness workshops and training courses (47%). Another study confirmed that (83.7%) would help them develop their dealings with these cases, in addition to adopting a book that helps them know the basics of dealing with this segment to provide them with appropriate healthcare. This was praised by 94%.Conclusion:This study has proven the importance of dealing with deaf and dumb cases, and the extent of the spread of these cases with the lack of knowledge and important skills to communicate with the deaf and dumb segment. We also recommend teaching doctors medical sign language, as well as holding awareness and training workshops and adopting a book that contains the basics of medical sign language, which will raise readiness to deal with cases.