A prática dos grupos educativos por enfermeiros na atenção primária à saúde

Abstract

Educational groups of this study area have the main role in Primary Health Care of bringing information related to the health-disease process to the population’s attention. Such activity fosters autonomy and enables the exchange of experience. The nursing professional has in the actions of health education the center of their professional practice, and moreover has excelled in the preparation and execution of those groups. For this reason, nurses have been considered the main agents in group activities. This research aims to analyze the context of nursing practice in primary health care through educational groups. This is a descriptive qualitative study under the framework of dialectical hermeneutics method. A total of fifteen nurses acted as the investigation subjects and the data collection was made by means of using the technique of semi-structured interviews. The ethical aspects followed the regulations present in Resolution 196/96 of the National Board of Health. Data analysis was done in the light of dialectical hermeneutics. The results obtained indicate that the groups are acting accordingly to the regulations for specific pathologies determined by the Ministry of Health, except for a few that did not suit such specifications. Significant changes related to the method used by the nurses were noticed. They have adopted a more active methodology which has lead the participants to question more, making them aware of the processes involved. However, difficulties such as the lack of training on all aspects involving the group process and group dynamics were detected. This research may contribute with theoretical reflections and practices in relation to the activity with educational groups, support for the process of training, and the evaluation of the nursing work process in Primary Health Care.