{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,18]],"date-time":"2026-08-18T05:28:50Z","timestamp":1787030930926,"version":"build-2736575974"},"reference-count":31,"publisher":"AOSIS","issue":"1","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,11]],"date-time":"2025-10-11T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1760140800000},"content-version":"unspecified","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":[],"abstract":"<jats:p>Background:\u00a0Hearing impairment, including deafness, affects approximately 5% of the global population, with the majority residing in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) such as South Africa. Despite the constitutional right to healthcare for all, patients with deafness face persistent health inequalities because of communication barriers with healthcare professionals. Physiotherapists are often unprepared to provide care for patients with deafness, leading to a breakdown in communication and poor healthcare outcomes.\nObjectives:\u00a0This study explored physiotherapists\u2019 perceptions regarding the challenges faced by patients with deafness in accessing rehabilitative care in South Africa.\nMethod:\u00a0A qualitative research approach was used, with social constructivism as the guiding paradigm. In-depth individual interviews were conducted with 18 purposively selected physiotherapists across three public hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Data were analysed using Elo and Kyng\u00e4s content analysis framework, which involves a systematic three-phase approach.\nResults:\u00a0The study identified five main categories: (1) access to rehabilitative care, (2) communication barriers, (3) disability stigma and cultural barriers, (4) healthcare system challenges and (5) future aspirations.\nConclusion:\u00a0The findings highlight the need for improved communication strategies, sign language training and a more inclusive approach within the healthcare system to enhance access to rehabilitative care for patients with deafness. The study underscores the importance of addressing systemic and individual factors to provide equitable healthcare to all patients, including those with hearing impairments.\nClinical implications:\u00a0The study underscores the urgent need for physiotherapists to receive sign language and cultural competency training to improve communication and healthcare delivery for patients with deafness, ensuring equitable access to rehabilitative care.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.4102\/sajp.v81i1.2241","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,10]],"date-time":"2025-10-10T09:31:51Z","timestamp":1760088711000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4102\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":1,"title":["Perceptions of physiotherapists regarding challenges experienced by patients with Deafness in accessing rehabilitative care"],"prefix":"10.4102","volume":"81","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0007-9604-5412","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Meluleki S.","family":"Thethwayo","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"id":[{"id":"https:\/\/ror.org\/04qzfn040","id-type":"ROR","asserted-by":"publisher"}],"name":"University of KwaZulu-Natal"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-7125-2681","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Olivia","family":"Baloyi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"id":[{"id":"https:\/\/ror.org\/04qzfn040","id-type":"ROR","asserted-by":"publisher"}],"name":"University of KwaZulu-Natal"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"2580","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,11]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref0","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Abou-Abdallah, M. & Lamyman, A., 2021, \u2018Exploring communication difficulties with deaf patients\u2019, Clinical Medicine, Journal of the Royal College of Physicians of London 21(4), e380\u2013e383. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.7861\/clinmed.2021-0111","DOI":"10.7861\/clinmed.2021-0111"},{"key":"ref1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Agaronnik, N., Campbell, E.G., Ressalam, J. & Iezzoni, L.I., 2019, \u2018Communicating with patients with disability: Perspectives of practising physicians\u2019, Journal of General Internal Medicine 34(7), 1139\u20131145. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s11606-019-04911-0","DOI":"10.1007\/s11606-019-04911-0"},{"key":"ref2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Akeely, Y.Y., Alenezi, A.Q., Albishr, N.N., Almutairi, B.A., Alotaibi, N.F., Almansour, R.A. et al., 2022, \u2018Communication challenges while dealing with a deaf patient in the emergency department and suggested solutions\u2019, Cureus 14(11), e31091. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.7759\/cureus.31091","DOI":"10.7759\/cureus.31091"},{"key":"ref3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Appiah, P.K., Fenu, G.A., Asalu, G.A., Dzata, W.M., Bonchel, D.A., AbdulRahman, T.I. et al., 2018, \u2018Communication experiences of speech and hearing impaired clients in accessing healthcare in Hohoe Municipality, Ghana\u2019, European Scientific Journal 14(12), 209. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.19044\/esj.2018.v14n12p209","DOI":"10.19044\/esj.2018.v14n12p209"},{"key":"ref4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Ayala-Hernandez, J.M., Lopera-Escobar, A., Cadavid-Mazo, S.Y. & Pulgarin-Ossa, D.A., 2021, \u2018The interaction between the healthcare professional and the deaf person. 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