Experience Report: Relevance of Sign Language Optional Material in Tertiary Care for Hearing Impaired Persons Following Hiv and Hepatitis B

Abstract

Introduction:Patients with HIV/AIDS may present with audiological alterations due to the action of the virus on the cochleovestibular system, the ototoxic effect of medication for the treatment of HIV and infection by opportunistic diseases. Thus, professional qualification in sign language and knowledge of technologies that help consultations are needed. Objective: To share the relevance of knowledge of Sign language and sign language applications in the care of health professionals. Method: This is an experience report, carried out by a medical student in the 10th period of EMESCAM, highlighting the need for Sign language and sign language technology after consulting a patient with hearing impairment undergoing treatment for hepatitis B and HIV, in a philanthropic hospital in the city of Vitória -ES. Results: The patient, who was hearing impaired and being followed up by the infectology, attended the consultation alone and presented a letter informing that his mother, a translator, had given up accompanying him. During the consultation, communication was hampered, since it was essential to understand the patient's medication adherence, inform about the evolution of the disease and the next necessary actions. Given the circumstance, a student who was studying Sign language, an optional subject in the medical curriculum at EMESCAM, with knowledge of the classes, instructed about the medication dosage, the exams and the place to schedule them. Doubts about specific terms were clarified by Hand Talk, an application that offers simultaneous translation of words from Portuguese to Brazilian Sign Language. Therefore, the team's experience in instructing itself to offer comprehensive care was obtained, taking into consideration, the particularities of the patient. Conclusion: It is understood the importance of training a bilingual professional, offering the subject sign language as regular content in the professional grid in the health area, in order to make health promotion accessible to all Brazilians.