Filtering by: Dr. S. Jordan Wright

Jun
17
1:00 PM13:00

Paternalistic Assumptions of Interpreters in Medicine (0.3 PS PPO CEUs)

Presenters: Dr. S. Jordan Wright and Hayden Orr

Click here to learn more about Dr. S. Jordan Wright!

Click here to learn more about Hayden Orr!

Description: Is the lack of sexual health literacy among American Deaf individuals linked with the unpreparedness of Sign Language interpreters? In this study, we further analyze the high percentage of delayed care and morbidity rates within the American Deaf community as it correlates with the reported inability of Sign Language interpreters to communicate sexual health interlocution effectively. Further, we examine how interpreters report and demonstrate paternalistic attitudes which may subconsciously limit the decision-making schema and autonomy of Deaf clients. We conducted a series of remote focus groups with interpreters who have experience in sexual healthcare interpreting (N=11). The focus groups were conducted entirely in American Sign Language and later transcribed into written English.

We found the theme of unpreparedness for various medical situations to be an overarching phenomenon. We also note that the second theme of horizontal violence is significant in which they would place the onus for a lack of knowledge upon other interpreters or Deaf clients, but rarely themselves or the hearing client (in this situation, often are Healthcare providers). Finally, the third theme of paternalism is salient in that many interpreters would claim that the most prominent issues are the Deaf patients' low health literacy; other interpreters' inability to interpret correctly “for this client” during previous appointments; and a deficit perspective of Deaf patients. Previous research focusing on Deaf healthcare accessibility shows that Deaf people in the United States have significantly lower health literacy than their hearing peers, are less likely to access the healthcare they need, and 7 times more likely to end up in the emergency room as a result of delayed care. This demonstrates that one of the most significant barriers to healthcare access can come from the frustrations of working with unqualified interpreters. The results of this study will help us understand how we can elevate the interpreting field in the United States as a preparatory response to various medical situations, while reducing paternalistic behaviors in Sexual Healthcare literacy.

Educational Objectives: Participants will be able to identify and articulate the following:

  1. Paternalistic behavior

  2. Health Literacy Skills

  3. Opportunities for professional growth

  4. Becoming an active ally

Target Audience: Interpreters/Para's

Workshop Style: Interactive (some audience participation but mostly lecture)

Language of Presentation: Signed ASL, with English interpretation.

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Jun
17
8:30 AM08:30

Paternalistic Assumptions of Interpreters in Medicine (0.3 PS PPO CEUs)

Presenters: Dr. S. Jordan Wright and Hayden Orr

Click here to learn more about Dr. S. Jordan Wright!

Click here to learn more about Hayden Orr!

Description: Is the lack of sexual health literacy among American Deaf individuals linked with the unpreparedness of Sign Language interpreters? In this study, we further analyze the high percentage of delayed care and morbidity rates within the American Deaf community as it correlates with the reported inability of Sign Language interpreters to communicate sexual health interlocution effectively. Further, we examine how interpreters report and demonstrate paternalistic attitudes which may subconsciously limit the decision-making schema and autonomy of Deaf clients. We conducted a series of remote focus groups with interpreters who have experience in sexual healthcare interpreting (N=11). The focus groups were conducted entirely in American Sign Language and later transcribed into written English.

We found the theme of unpreparedness for various medical situations to be an overarching phenomenon. We also note that the second theme of horizontal violence is significant in which they would place the onus for a lack of knowledge upon other interpreters or Deaf clients, but rarely themselves or the hearing client (in this situation, often are Healthcare providers). Finally, the third theme of paternalism is salient in that many interpreters would claim that the most prominent issues are the Deaf patients' low health literacy; other interpreters' inability to interpret correctly “for this client” during previous appointments; and a deficit perspective of Deaf patients. Previous research focusing on Deaf healthcare accessibility shows that Deaf people in the United States have significantly lower health literacy than their hearing peers, are less likely to access the healthcare they need, and 7 times more likely to end up in the emergency room as a result of delayed care. This demonstrates that one of the most significant barriers to healthcare access can come from the frustrations of working with unqualified interpreters. The results of this study will help us understand how we can elevate the interpreting field in the United States as a preparatory response to various medical situations, while reducing paternalistic behaviors in Sexual Healthcare literacy.

Educational Objectives: Participants will be able to identify and articulate the following:

  1. Paternalistic behavior

  2. Health Literacy Skills

  3. Opportunities for professional growth

  4. Becoming an active ally

Target Audience: Interpreters/Para's

Workshop Style: Interactive (some audience participation but mostly lecture)

Language of Presentation: Signed ASL, no voiced interpretation

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Jun
16
2:15 PM14:15

The Taboo Perceptions of Interpreters working in Sexual Health Settings (0.2 PS PPO CEUs)

Presenter: Dr. S. Jordan Wright

Click here to learn more about Dr. S. Jordan Wright!

Description: This presentation will share the results of an investigation into signed language interpreter’s perspectives of working in settings related to sexual health. Studies have shown that the health literacy of deaf and hard of hearing individuals in the United States significantly lags behind that of their hearing peers, which leads to adverse and delayed care (IGS 2003; McKee et al. 2015; Heuttel & Rothstein 2001). Sexual Health access; particularly as it relates to Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) when encountered by the LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC deaf communities is an underserved topic cloaked in taboo beliefs, a dearth of research, and compounded barriers for access of information. The findings of our pilot study have been extrapolated from three focus groups where signed language interpreters working in the United States reflected on their experiences of interpreting in sexually transmitted infection (STI) related medical scenarios. Findings reveal that interpretations vary widely based on factors including inconsistencies of sexual knowledge, professional preparation, academic training, personally held beliefs related to sex, and trust. This investigation leads us to sharply examine what becomes “lost in translation” for deaf and hard of hearing people who receive their health information through signed language interpretation. We aim to spotlight gaps in the healthcare setting that can be remedied for long-term improvement of sexual health access.

Educational Objectives: Participants will be able to:

  1. Identify at least two sexual health gaps in sign language interpreter training 

  2. Understand the concept of “master narrative” as it relates to interpreting in sexual health settings  

  3. Articulate at least two current topics that are deemed taboo, stigmatized, or marginalized

  4. Create and participate in dialogue around approaches interpreters can take to avoid the widely varied inconsistencies in interpretations in these settings

Target Audience: D/Hearing Interpreters/

Workshop Style: Interactive (some audience participation but mostly lecture)

Language of Presentation: Signed ASL, with English interpretation.

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Jun
16
9:45 AM09:45

The Taboo Perceptions of Interpreters working in Sexual Health Settings (0.2 PS PPO CEUs)

Presenter: Dr. S. Jordan Wright

Click here to learn more about Dr. S. Jordan Wright!

Description: This presentation will share the results of an investigation into signed language interpreter’s perspectives of working in settings related to sexual health. Studies have shown that the health literacy of deaf and hard of hearing individuals in the United States significantly lags behind that of their hearing peers, which leads to adverse and delayed care (IGS 2003; McKee et al. 2015; Heuttel & Rothstein 2001). Sexual Health access; particularly as it relates to Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) when encountered by the LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC deaf communities is an underserved topic cloaked in taboo beliefs, a dearth of research, and compounded barriers for access of information. The findings of our pilot study have been extrapolated from three focus groups where signed language interpreters working in the United States reflected on their experiences of interpreting in sexually transmitted infection (STI) related medical scenarios. Findings reveal that interpretations vary widely based on factors including inconsistencies of sexual knowledge, professional preparation, academic training, personally held beliefs related to sex, and trust. This investigation leads us to sharply examine what becomes “lost in translation” for deaf and hard of hearing people who receive their health information through signed language interpretation. We aim to spotlight gaps in the healthcare setting that can be remedied for long-term improvement of sexual health access.

Educational Objectives: Participants will be able to:

  1. Identify at least two sexual health gaps in sign language interpreter training 

  2. Understand the concept of “master narrative” as it relates to interpreting in sexual health settings  

  3. Articulate at least two current topics that are deemed taboo, stigmatized, or marginalized

  4. Create and participate in dialogue around approaches interpreters can take to avoid the widely varied inconsistencies in interpretations in these settings

Target Audience: D/Hearing Interpreters/

Workshop Style: Interactive (some audience participation but mostly lecture)

Language of Presentation: Signed ASL, no voiced interpretation

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Jun
15
4:30 PM16:30

B-MAD 2.0 (0.2 PS PPO CEUs)

Presenter: Dr. S. Jordan Wright

Click here to learn more about Dr. S. Jordan Wright!

Description: This workshop is a follow-up to NCRID’s 2022 virtual presentation on Bias, Mental Health, Audism, and Anxiety in Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals (BMAD). To date, we have a sample size of 368 individuals (N= 368) who participated in a multi-prong survey. Results indicate that acculturative stress based on hearing status combined with various intersectional identities are consistent with that of minoritized hearing groups. Yet, these results are exacerbated by hearing loss and audism as a predictor of the impact of mental health. This workshop will also explore the challenges reflected in accurate mental health data reporting, since we know from previous studies that D/HH individuals have a staggeringly high prevalence of misdiagnosis or non-diagnosis, both as a byproduct of unqualified access and a lack of access to medical interlocution. These challenges will be incorporated into the development of a new Audism Diagnosis Instrument, based loosely on the Implicit Association Tests developed by Project Implicit at Harvard University. The development of the ADI, along with the calibration of said batteries and the deployment of this instrument should prove useful in assisting clinicians and hearing professionals with a more accurate method of diagnosing common mental health issues in D/HH individuals. Interpreters who are aware of these challenges and instruments that are rampant in health literacy will be better prepared to function as competent professionals in health and pharmaceutical care involving D/HH clients.

Educational Objectives: Participants will be able to:

  1. Understand and articulate the concrete effects of audism, it's impact on mental health, and the systems which perpetuate audism 

  2. Articulate the salient reasons why D/HH are often misdiagnosed, non-diagnosed, and unable to access mental health care. 

  3. Recognize instruments and broaden content knowledge of acculturative stress across minoritized populations in order to improve medical interpreting services

Target Audience: Interpreters

Workshop Style: Active (groups, breakouts, practice, hands-on, etc)

Language of Presentation: Signed ASL, with English interpretation.

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