EXPANDING COMMUNICATION AND PROMOTING INCLUSION: AN EXPERIENCE REPORT ON THE IMPORTANCE OF TEACHING SIGN LANGUAGE IN MEDICAL FACULTIES

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.1594332427037

• Palavras-chave: Medical education; Deaf; Service

• Keywords: Medical education; Deaf; Service

• Abstract:

  Introduction: Communication in accessing health services is a major obstacle for deaf people, which makes it difficult to seek medical help. From a consultation to monitoring a treatment, communication is essential for success in each case, which is why the teaching of Brazilian Sign Language (Sign language) in medical schools becomes so relevant for good training. Being the learning from sign language a way to prepare the student so that they are ready to deal with a deaf patient. Goal: Report the importance of learning sign language in medical school and its practice with the deaf population. Report of experience: From April 13th to 24th, sixth and eighth period students, together with advisors and teachers, organized themselves to develop an event for the deaf community. The planning involved three days of study and preparation of students until the day of practice. The purpose of the practice was to simulate a service in a basic health unit, for this purpose deaf people and interpreters were invited, so the students provided their services using Brazilian Sign Language (Sign language). During the consultations, procedures such as blood pressure measurement, capillary blood glucose measurement, height and weight were carried out. In addition, prescriptions and referrals were also provided if necessary. Furthermore, medical professionals gave a lecture on cardiovascular risks to the participants of the action translated to sign language. Reflection about the experience: The practical experience reported in question shows the importance of signal training, as in addition to learning, students must execute their learning. This training of future doctors prevents the violation of the rights of the affected population and provides a complete picture of their diagnosis and the treatment being prescribed. Thus, in order to prepare future doctors to adapt to this social scenario, it is recommended that the curricula of Medicine courses include transversal approaches to topics such as human rights, inclusion of people with disabilities and the teaching of Brazilian Sign Language. These approaches must promote the acquisition of knowledge, experiences and systematized reflections on these subjects. However, making these contents available optionally or with less emphasis can become an obstacle, making access for deaf patients to health services more difficult. Conclusions or Recommendations: It is concluded that the inclusion of Sign language teaching in medical schools is a crucial measure to promote equal access to health and the guarantee of adequate medical assistance for all members of society. It is a significant step towards a more inclusive healthcare system in which all patients, regardless of their hearing abilities, can feel understood, respected and cared for. 
  Therefore, the medical curriculum must train professionals who promote equity in the adequate and effective care of deaf people. Training in caring for these patients prevents their rights from being violated and provides full knowledge of the diagnosis and prescribed treatment.