Estratégias e desafios enfrentados por profissionais no atendimento ao paciente surdo

Abstract

The communication between Deaf patients and professionals of radiological techniques is considered an obstacle in health care due to the communicative incompatibility between them. Therefore, it is important to comprehend the difficulties and strategies used by these professionals during the health care of Deaf people. Objective: This study aims at understanding how the communication between Deaf patients and professionals of radiological techniques occurs during imaging exams and radiologic therapies. Methodology: This research has a descriptive nature with a quanti-qualitative approach. It involves 82 professionals of radiological techniques who were interviewed from 05/18/2021 to 05/28/2021 according to the precepts of Resolution 466/12. The data were obtained through a questionnaire developed in the Google Forms platform. It was sent via WhatsApp to these professionals over 18 years old who had already treated Deaf patients, independently from being currently working or not during the development of this research. The questionnaire was divided into 2 parts and it had open and closed questions. Results: It was observed that most participants (69.5%) have never attended a Libras’ (Brazilian sign language) course, but are interested in taking one; 78% believe in the necessity of having a Libras capacitation course in their workplace, however, 96.4% affirm that there is no course offering in their work. Regarding the methods employed to establish communication, most participants used gestures (79.3%) and considered that the communication was effective (73,2%); 80,5% believe that the Deaf patient comprehended the imaging exam/radiologic therapy based on the communicative method even though 59,8% had reported the necessity of assistance from the accompanying person during the treatment. Concerning the availability of interpreters, the majority of participants (98,8%) affirm that there is no professional available in their workplace. In addition, 84,1% assert that there are no professionals of radiological techniques capacitated in Libras in their workplace/sector. Conclusion: Based on the obtained results, it is concluded that with the use of various methods and the assistance from the accompanying person, most imaging exams/radiologic therapies were successfully carried out. However, this result does not exclude the necessity of knowledge and capacitation in Libras, which are essential for better communication with Deaf patients and better efficiency in health care.