The perspective of deaf patients on health care

• Published in: Revista CEFAC 2021, Vol.23 (2)
• Main Authors: Rezende, Regiane Ferreira, Guerra, Leonor Bezerra, Carvalho, Sirley Alves da Silva
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Access to Health Services; Public Health; REHABILITATION; Sign Language; Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences; Unified Health System
• ISSN: 1516-1846; 1982-0216; 1982-0216
• DOI: 10.1590/1982-0216/20212320620

ABSTRACT Purpose: to learn the deaf people’s perspective on the improvements needed in this population’s health care. Methods: an observational, cross-sectional study conducted with 124 deaf people who answered a semi-structured questionnaire to characterize the sample (age, sex, and means of communication) and collect answers to the open question: “Do you have any suggestion to improve the health care for the deaf?” - which was answered either in writing or in the Brazilian Sign Language (Libras). A descriptive analysis was conducted to characterize the sample, as well as a quantitative and qualitative content analysis (thematic-categorical), to identify categories and occurrence frequency of the content in the answers to the open question. Results: the sample’s mean age was 44 years (standard deviation 15, minimum 18, and maximum 70 years), 65% were women, and 78% used Libras to communicate. Most of the participants (83%) answered the open question in writing. Six theme categories were identified: 1) Needed improvements; 2) Communication barriers); 3) Health promotion; 4) Autonomy; 5) Achievements; and 6) Law. Conclusion: the results reveal a need for improvements in the health care of deaf people. The perspective of the studied deaf population is based on their desire to gain autonomy, overcome communication barriers, and have access to information, aiming at health promotion. RESUMO Objetivo: conhecer a perspectiva do surdo quanto às melhorias necessárias no atendimento à saúde para essa população. Métodos: estudo observacional transversal realizado com 124 surdos que responderam a questionário semiestruturado, visando caracterizar amostra (idade, sexo e tipo de comunicação) e coletar resposta à questão aberta: “Você tem alguma sugestão para melhorar o atendimento de saúde ao surdo?, respondida nas modalidades escrita ou Língua Brasileira de Sinais (Libras). Realizou-se análise descritiva para caracterização da amostra e análise quanti-qualitativa de conteúdo (temático-categorial), para identificação de categorias e frequência de ocorrência dos conteúdos das respostas à questão aberta. Resultados: amostra apresentou média de idade de 44 anos (desvio padrão: 15, mínima de 18 e máxima de 70 anos), sendo 65% mulheres e 78% usuários de Libras. A maioria dos participantes (83%) respondeu à questão aberta na modalidade escrita. Foram identificadas seis categorias temáticas: 1) Necessidade de melhorias; 2) Barreiras de comunicação); 3) Promoção da saúde; 4) A