Experiences of deafblind people about health care

• Published in: Enfermería clínica (Internet. English ed.) 2017-11, Vol.27 (6), p.375-378
• Main Authors: Fernández-Valderas, Carmen, Macías-Seda, Juana, Gil-García, Eugenia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Atención de enfermería; Deafblind disorders; Health services; Nursing care; Sensation disorders; Servicios de salud; Trastornos de la sensación; Trastornos sordoceguera
• ISSN: 2445-1479; 2445-1479
• DOI: 10.1016/j.enfcle.2017.03.013

Deafblindness is a disability resulting from the combination of visual and auditory sensory impairments, which can manifest in different levels causing special communication problems. Deafblind people have special needs that derive from difficulties in sensing, understanding, attention and a lack of the skills required to function effectively in society. Deafblindness requires specialised services, personnel specifically trained in its care and special methods for communication. The main objective of this study is to explore the experiences of deafblind people in relation to health care throughout their lives. This study was developed at the St. Ángela de la Cruz Centre, belonging to the Association of Parents of Deafblind People in Spain. Phenomenological qualitative study, through semi-structured interviews with deafblind people at the St. Ángela de la Cruz Centre, Salteras (Seville), carried out in 2015, with the help of interpreters in Spanish sign language. Topics covered in the interviews refer to facilities, human resources, time waiting and health care. Coinciding statements were obtained, where the participants point out architectural and educational barriers in health care and stand out better if the professionals know sign language. It can be highlighted that healthcare professionals lack knowledge of all aspects of deafblindness, sign language in particular, and there is a shortage of signs and information for the deafblind. Moreover, alternatives are required to reduce waiting times and improve direct communication with health professionals. La sordoceguera es una discapacidad, resultado de la combinación de las deficiencias visual y auditiva, manifestándose en diferentes grados y provocando problemas comunicativos únicos. Las personas sordociegas presentan necesidades especiales debidas a la dificultad para percibir, conocer y desenvolverse, requiriendo servicios especializados, personal formado y métodos especiales de comunicación. El objetivo principal de este estudio es explorar las experiencias vividas por las personas sordociegas del Centro Santa Ángela de la Cruz, perteneciente a la Asociación de Padres de Sordociegos de España, en relación con la atención sanitaria recibida a lo largo de su vida. Estudio cualitativo fenomenológico, mediante entrevistas semiestructuradas a personas sordociegas del Centro Santa Ángela de la Cruz de Salteras (Sevilla). Este trabajo se llevó a cabo en el año 2015 con ayuda de intérpretes en lengua de signo