Construction of an assistive technology to help patients with post-surgical vocal impairment: an experience report

Abstract

Objective: To report the academic experience in a scientific initiation program on the construction of an assistive technology to aid non-verbal communication in postoperative patients for head and neck cancers with vocal impairment. Experience report: The technology was developed by students of the 10th semester of the Bachelor's Degree in Nursing, as a product linked to the Scientific Initiation Program. The instrument was developed in the form of a cube, containing on each of its six sides a short phrase or word associated with a different image and color. Before the physical construction of the instrument, a graphic art sketch was elaborated with the contents of each face of the cube. The steps of assembling the cubes were carried out by the students participating in the research project. Final considerations: Participating in a scientific initiation program, carrying out a methodological study, culminating in the construction of a light-hard assistive technology, favor the training of students.