Development of Mobile <i>Apps</i> for Deaf Patients by Nursing Students: Let’s Consider the Difficulties through Deaf’s Perspective

Communication between healthcare professionals and patients is essential for getting the right treatment and full recovery. However, the deaf community find difficulties worldwide as they need to communicate basically through sign language, in which most of these professionals have no or few knowledge. This study aimed at reporting the experience of nursing students in the development of cellphones apps designed to help deaf people during health attendance. This strategy intends to encourage students to experience the point of view of the deaf patient during the attendance in a playful and dynamic way, considering the importance of the language inclusion of the deaf in the health system. The study was developed by first year nursing students enrolled at a Federal University in the Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. The group consisted of 9 students, divided in 3 groups, who developed applications to be used during nursing care of deaf people. Each software-design-group had pre-selected phrases important to the amnesics process according to their point of view. After this stage, the students have elected the healthcare terminology using the Brazilian sign language—Libras, and recorded videos as a proposition to improve the communication between nurses and deaf patients. Considering that no student had previous knowledge of the Libras prior to this event, the activity promoted a practical learning on how to use this translating material as well as on free apps development. This educational strategy also contributed to the professional development of such students, since it made them critically think about inclusion of minorities such as deaf people whereas preparing them to provide better healthcare to their future deaf patients.