Barnett, Steven L.
Summaries of Independent Scientist (K) Awards
Institution: University of Rochester
Grant Title: Deaf People and Healthcare
Grant Number: K08 HS15700
Duration: 5 years (2006-2011)
Total Award: $634,960
Project Description: This research seeks to obtain new and valuable information about the healthcare experiences of deaf adult American Sign Language (ASL)-users. This will be done by translating and adapting the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS®) Ambulatory Care Survey in order to collect information in ASL from deaf people about their healthcare experiences. There are two goals:
- Adapt CAHPS ambulatory surveys for use with adults who communicate in ASL.
- Pilot an adapted CAHPS-ASL with deaf adult users who receive care in four different healthcare settings.
CAHPS-ASL will be the first national survey adapted to learn about healthcare experiences from deaf adult ASL-users in their own language.
Career Goals: Dr. Barnett is a Family Medicine physician and Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Rochester.He is proficient in ASL and much of his career has focused on the health of deaf people who communicate in that language. He wants to become a leading expert and independent researcher on the topic of health and health care for deaf people and their families.
Progress to Date: Dr. Barnett continues to work with his mentors, advisors, and research team to refine the methods necessary to achieve Aim #1 and establish the foundation for effective community-base participatory research with the deaf populations. Significant progress is being made with research necessary to adapt CAHPS for use in the American Sign Language (ASL). The grantee has completed translation of all survey items into ASL and English-based signing. Pilot testing has begun for Aim #2.
Future Plans: Dr. Barnett will complete 20 in-depth individual cognitive interviews to further evaluate the ASL adaptation of CAHPS. He will continue development of manuscripts for publication as well as developing his own ASL skills through his everyday interactions with deaf ASL users.
Highlights and Specific Accomplishments:
- Medical Director, Strong Connections Telehealth Sign Language Interpreter Program, University of Rochester Medical Center.
- Co-Associate Director, Rochester Prevention Research Center/National Center for Deaf Health Research, University of Rochester.
Pollard RQ, Barnett S. Health-related vocabulary knowledge among deaf adults. Rehabilitation Psychology. 2009. 52(2):182-85.