Sign Language Recognition System for Deaf Patients: Protocol for a Systematic Review.

Area of Science:

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Health Informatics
• Assistive Technologies

Background:

• Individuals with hearing impairments face significant challenges in accessing healthcare.
• Communication barriers can lead to adverse health outcomes and iatrogenic events.
• Development of automatic communication systems is crucial for this population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review evidence on sign language communication systems for deaf individuals in healthcare.
• To identify systems using human-computer interaction techniques tested with users.
• To assess usability and application in real-world health contexts.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search across major databases (MEDLINE, Web of Science, ACM, IEEE) and conferences.
• Inclusion criteria: sign language recognition systems in healthcare, tested with human users.
• Data extraction, synthesis, and descriptive analysis following PRISMA guidelines.

Main Results:

• Study selection concluded July 2024.
• Data extraction, synthesis, and reporting are expected by February 2025.
• Preliminary search conducted in April 2024.

Conclusions:

• This review will identify human-machine systems facilitating communication for deaf patients in health services.
• A framework for usability and application in human contexts will be presented.
• Findings will highlight systems addressing communication barriers and compare implementation practices.