Perceptions of deaf subjects about communication in Primary Health Care

Abstract

Objective: to analyze the perceptions of deaf individuals about the communication process with health professionals of the state of Rio de Janeiro. Methods: cross-sectional observational study. Data were collected through the application of a questionnaire with quantitative and qualitative questions to 121 deaf adults. Objective responses were studied descriptively through frequency tables and analyzed by inferential statistics and logistic regression. The data from the open questions were analyzed through content analysis. Results: the lack of interpreters and the lack of use of the Brazilian Sign Language by professionals were perceived as the main communication barriers. In turn, the presence of companions who are listeners (73%) and the use of mime/gestures (68%) were among the strategies most used by the deaf. The majority of deaf people reported insecurity in consultations, and those who best understood their diagnosis and treatment were the bilingual deaf (p = 0.0347) and the deaf who used oral communication (p = 0.0056). Conclusion: communication with the professionals was facilitated when the deaf people had a companion or when they used mimics and gestures. Sign language was neglected, despite the fact that the provision of care to the deaf by professionals trained to use this language is guaranteed in the legislation.

Comparison of Access to Primary Care Medical and Dental Appointments Between Simulated Patients Who Were Deaf and Patients Who Could Hear

“…People who are deaf have been found to have fewer physician visits, 10 be less likely to have visited a physician in the preceding 2 years, 24 be more likely to access care in emergency department settings, 25 and be more likely to avoid health care professionals owing to a lack of communication or lack of an interpreter. 6 …”

“…Patients who are deaf have reported that the main communication barriers experienced in health care settings are the lack of ASL interpreters and the lack of use of sign language by health care professionals. 6 Inadequate comprehension during health care encounters and the lack of engagement 7 may contribute to feelings of fear, mistrust, and frustration 8 or the avoidance of health care professionals altogether. 9 Patients who are deaf have an increased likelihood of poor physician-patient communication and reduced satisfaction with care, 10 may be unable to share important medical history or ask questions, 11 or may be unable to establish a strong relationship with their primary care professionals.…”

Fragilidade na formação dos profissionais de saúde quanto à Língua Brasileira de Sinais: reflexo na atenção à saúde dos surdos

“…When assessing the perceptions of deaf individuals in relation to communication in primary health care, it can be observed that the lack of communication between deaf people and health professionals has a great impact on care. In a study carried out with 121 deaf adults, analyzing the impacts of the lack of communication between health professionals and deaf patients, from the user's point of view, it was observed that about 60% of dropouts in seeking health facilities were due to the absence of an interpreter during consultations, 66% of deaf patients felt insecure with the service provided by the doctor, 70% did not understand how to carry out the prescribed treatment and 82% did not understand the diagnosis (14) . These data reveal that the lack of communication between the health professional and the deaf patient can have a great impact on these individuals´health, and it is extremely important to invest in this communication.…”

“…Strategies adopted by health professionals to communicate with deaf patients include miming, lip reading, gestures and writing. Despite using these tactics, communication with a deaf patient is often compromised (14) .…”

Sign language instrument for assessing the knowledge of deaf people about Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

“…The deaf constitute a category of the world's population of some 466 million people, estimated by the World Health Organization to reach 900 million by 2050 (1) . Communication of the deaf, when hearing impairment is greater than 40 dB, occurs by means of a gesture stimulus (2) , Thus, this public has difficulty in accessing information on various health-related topics (3) .…”