Signed Language Interpreting in Healthcare Settings: Who is qualified?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 requires medical facilities to provide auxiliary aids, including interpreters, to all patients who need them to ensure that they have the same level of access to effective communication as those without disabilities (National Association of the Deaf [NAD], n.d.). However, without a national certification for signed language interpreters who work in healthcare settings, that law is hardly enforced, which is problematic. Multiple communication breakdowns have resulted from: family members and friends taking on the role of an interpreter; an interpreter not being provided; medical facilities hiring unqualified interpreters; and controversial use of video remote interpreting (VRI). These negative experiences have also led to many Deaf people being less inclined to seek medical care and routine appointments. Ultimately, the lack of access to qualified interpreters has affected the general health of the Deaf community. The goal of this thesis will be to examine the need for a national medical specialization certification for signed language interpreters. The research and findings are presented as a meta-synthesis of the existing literature on the topic. The thesis will also provide suggestions for how that certification could be implemented, and the training programs necessary to equip interpreters for the specialization certification

The leadership styles of social work educators.

The purposes of this study are twofold: (1) to describe the leadership styles of social workers in educational administration and (2) to explain possible differences in leadership style by determining if context or gender or a combination of both factors influences style. This study will explore and describe the leadership styles of social work education administrators in the United States. The research design was a cross-sectional survey design and utilized multiple methods, both qualitative and quantitative, to achieve its purposes. Leadership styles were explored primarily through the collection of quantitative data in the form of a scale: the MLQ 5x-Short (Avolio & Bass, 2004). Specific qualitative data regarding personal views of the impact of context and gender on leadership style were gathered as well as quantitative scale data on the type of organization within which the respondent leads (Pawar & Eastman, 1997) and demographic data. This research design utilized web based survey methods, specifically the Dillman Tailored Design Method for survey design (2007). Question Pro was the web survey host and software used in the data collection process. Data analysis was completed using univariate, bivariate, and multivariate statistical tests and SPSS data analysis software

Assessed occupational exposure to chlorinated, aromatic and Stoddard solvents during pregnancy and risk of fetal growth restriction

Previous experimental and epidemiological research suggests that maternal exposure to some organic solvents during pregnancy may increase the risk of fetal growth restriction (FGR). We evaluated the association between expert-assessed occupational solvent exposure and risk of small for gestational age (SGA) infants in a population-based sample of women in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study

Association between maternal occupational exposure to organic solvents and congenital heart defects, National Birth Defects Prevention Study, 1997–2002

To examine the relation between congenital heart defects (CHDs) in offspring and estimated maternal occupational exposure to chlorinated solvents, aromatic solvents, and Stoddard solvent during the period from one month before conception through the first trimester

Bibliography

Bibliography of publications by Patricia Desrosiers

The BES Model: Student Support and Gatekeeping Tool

Universities are ill equipped to handle the specialized nature of students with psychiatric disabilities. Dueto the increasing numbers of students with both identified and unidentified psychiatric disabilities, thiscase study provides guidance through a description and application of the Behavioral EcologicalStrengths-Focused (BES) Model. Use of the BES Model assists administrators and faculty tosimultaneously support students with psychiatric disabilities while maintaining standards for gatekeepingrequired in master’s level programs

Promoting Socially Just Healthcare Systems: Social Work’s Contribution to Patient Navigation

Presentation regarding the purpose of patient navigation