Examination of Bias in Mental Health Evaluation of Deaf Patients

摘要: State mental institutions generally integrate deaf or hearing-impaired patients with those who do not have this physical disability.' Because most treatment approaches in­ stitutionalized psychiatric involve verbal communication, the minority of pa­ tients are both and mentally ill pose a particular challenge to staff. Indeed, there is evidence that bias against ex­ ists in hospitals, they tend longer lengths stay yet receive less than other patients.s Although these phenomena might be result language barrier, critical factors may impede service delivery staff misperceptions mental­ ly persons, lack awareness the' special needs trained professional pertise illness deafness. This study examined mentalhealthser­ vice providers' evaluation patients. Various levels training type treatmentprogramwerestudied. Staff attitudes toward also were explored. It was predicted sub­ jects wouldattribute dysfunction their deafness, rather thanto men­ tal illness." hypothesized further subjects nevertheless would assign more restrictive forms increased supervision medication as subtle group. 4 Those withless educa­ tion, negative worked general setting expected likely discriminate betweenthe hearing fashion. 5