International Journal of Human and Health Sciences. Supplementary Issue: 2021 
 

S11 
 

e-POSTER PRESENTATION 
 

Bridging the Gap between Medical Students and the Deaf-Mute Population 

 

Huzairi Sani1, Nada Syazana Zulkufli2, Iman Wahidah1, Nurul Afiqah1, Nur 

Sabrina1, Siti Nur Farahiyah1 
1Faculty of Medicine, UniversitiTeknologi MARA (UiTM), Sungai Buloh, Malaysia 
2Chemical Pathology Unit, Hospital Pulau Pinang, Ministry of Health, Malaysia 
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.31344/ijhhs.v5i0.302 

 

Introduction: Deafness is the inability to hear or impaired hearing. In 2018, more than 40,000 

Malaysians were registered with hearing loss. Sign languages use visualization and facial 

expression to convey conversational meaning. However not many healthcare workers are able 

to converse in sign language thus hampering effective communication with deaf patients. 

 

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of sign language in increasing awareness amongst 

medical students on healthcare access difficulties faced by the deaf. 

 

Methods: Four medical students underwent sign language classes at the Malaysian Federation 

of Deaf before being formally assessed and certified by an instructor. A video on common 

questions used in the clinical setting using sign language was then developed and shown to a 

cohort of 224 medical students in UiTM. Awareness on the importance of sign language 

amongst the cohort was surveyed before and after watching the video. The four medical students 

were also assessed on their awareness and communication proficiency before and after attending 

classes. Post- and pre-test responses were analysed using Wilcoxon signed rank test and paired 

sample T-test. 

 

Results: The number of students who were aware of the importance of sign language in the 

clinical setting increased from 39.7% (N=89) to 98.2% (N=220) after watching the video. The 

four medical students’ post-test scores also increased significantly after attending sign language 

classes (Mean +2.43, p<0.01). Significant improvement in basic knowledge of sign language 

and ability to demonstrate signs such as self-introduction and gathering medical history were 

observed (p=0.046). In totality, awareness of the challenges faced by deaf-mute patients when 

communicating with healthcare workers increased significantly (p=0.046). 

 

Conclusion: Sign language is essential in improving communication between deaf patients and 

healthcare workers. It is therefore imperative that healthcare personnel gain basic skills in sign 

language to improve communication and provide better medical services to the deaf 

community. 

 

Keywords: sign language, healthcare, deaf, mute 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://dx.doi.org/10.31344/ijhhs.v5i0.302