Formação de profissionais da saúde e acessibilidade do surdo ao atendimento em saúde: contribuições do projeto "Comunica"

Abstract

Effective access of deaf patients to health systems is still restricted. The difficulties of communication between patients and health professionals are frequent. This study aimed mainly to describe strategies for the adequate care to the deaf and determine the impact of sensitizing action of the project “Comunica”. Students of medicine and speech therapy from Federal University of Minas Gerais participated in simulations of health appointments and completed questionnaires for the general knowledge of deaf culture and communication skills. 66.9% of medical students and 52.2% of speech therapy students denied any experience with the deaf. 98.5% of the students of both courses declared themselves unfit to meet the deaf and more than 92% wanted to learn to communicate in Libras (Brazilian sign language). Approximately 95% of the students attributed great importance to the objectives of the project. Improvements inthe health professional undergraduation program are needed to meet the necessitiesof the deaf.