title: The relation between deaf patients and the doctor.
abstract: Non-verbal communication is important when caring for deaf patients, fostering excellence in health care.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  an analysis of the legal and sociocultural aspects of the relation between deaf patients and physicians.
  
  
  METHODS
  Computerized databases for the period between 1996 and 2006 were used for collecting data; the keywords 'patient', 'deaf person', 'communication' and 'health' were used. A non-systematic search was made in scientific publications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  These studies were grouped into two categories: communication between deaf patients and physicians, who has to deal with communication barriers when caring for deaf patients, and the importance of non-verbal communication in healthcare. Deaf persons, their language, and their relation with physicians show the importance of sign language, endorsed by the Federal Law 10.436/02.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  When deaf patients and physicians meet, they need to overcome communication barriers that may hinder the necessary bond in healthcare and the care that is provided; this may also affect the diagnosis and treatment. It is clear that public institutions should create programs for training healthcare professionals in the appropriate care of deaf patients.
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Goiás. neumachaveiro@ig.com.br
authors.forename: Neuma
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chaveiro
authors.forename: Celmo Celeno
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Porto
authors.forename: Maria Alves
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Barbosa
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil; D003144:Communication Barriers; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D006801:Humans; D019986:Persons with Hearing Disabilities / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D012813:Sign Language