Monthly Spotlights
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Awareness
Medicaid serves over 96,000 individuals throughout Ohio who identify as adults living with hearing difficulty. Buckeye Health Plan, with the assistance of Ohio State University – Wexner Medical Center, would like to provide accessibility training for providers with deaf and hard of hearing patients.
This training conveys insight for providers on the barriers and needs of patients to navigate through health care appointments and/or phone calls. Participants will gain effective communication strategies and ensure provider practices are well-versed on how to best support patients. You can access the interactive training here.
For additional resources, visit our Health Equity Resources website page.
Disclaimer: This training does not qualify for CME credits
Nepali Speaking Members
Buckeye Health Plan recognizes Nepali as the highest non-English speaking language of our members. We currently serve 3,070 Nepali speaking members (70% female/29% male) with the majority living in Summit, Franklin, Butler, Licking and Hamilton County. Nepalese society is multicultural and multiethnic. Cultural factors like beliefs, perception and behaviors can have a great impact on decision making processes related to health care utilization and adherence.
As part of our commitment to cultural competence, we would like to share several tips for engaging our Nepali speaking members:
- In greeting and welcoming into your office, eye contact is generally kept to a minimum, so don’t be offended if it is not matched.
- Wait for initiation of handshake, especially with women, as they may not be comfortable touching the opposite gender; there may be a light grip w/handshake and always use your right hand.
- Buddhism & Hinduism are religious beliefs practiced in their community and defines the laws of healthcare and treatment; traditional home remedies are utilized to treat illness and some diseas are considered a “bad person’s karma”. Patients may need encouragement and positive reinforcement to feel comfortable sharing their use of traditional practices with providers.
- Sexual education is not openly discussed and causes awkwardness with women; due to religious beliefs, contraceptives are forbidden. Additionally, due to traditional gender roles, mothers may be hesitant to describe their own health concerns but will voice the health concerns of their children or spouse
- Lastly, if when conversating with a Nepali speaking patient, if there are misunderstandings, please ask to repeat yet be sensitive to how accent barriers can cause embarrassment and suggest interpreter services.
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