Access, educational practice and empowerment of patients with chronic diseases

Empowerment is a process whereby people achieve mastery over their lives, acquiring knowledge to make decisions about their health. Chronic diseases are increasingly common in the health service, requiring the attention of health professionals and empowering those affected by them. The scope of this...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inCiência & saude coletiva Vol. 17; no. 11; p. 2923
Main Authors Taddeo, Patricia da Silva, Gomes, Kilma Wanderley Lopes, Caprara, Andrea, Gomes, Annatália Meneses de Amorim, de Oliveira, Giselle Cavalcante, Moreira, Thereza Maria Magalhães
Format Journal Article
LanguagePortuguese
Published Brazil 01.11.2012
Subjects
Attitude to Health
Chronic Disease
Health Services Accessibility
Humans
Patient Education as Topic
Power (Psychology)
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Summary:Empowerment is a process whereby people achieve mastery over their lives, acquiring knowledge to make decisions about their health. Chronic diseases are increasingly common in the health service, requiring the attention of health professionals and empowering those affected by them. The scope of this study was to analyze the perceptions of users with chronic diseases and monitored by the Family Health Program with respect to empowerment. This was a qualitative study in which open interviews and systematic observations were conducted and NVIVO software was used for data analysis. Users indicate the existence of some geographical barriers in access to health, which caused fatigue, discouragement and low continuity of care. It was noted that adherence and practices of care were linked to differentiated service, based on trust and respect for the wishes of users. This includes healthcare guidance and education as key elements to encourage the practice of self-care. It is necessary to restructure the conduct of health professionals involved in the Family Health Strategy because its function is to promote health in a logical intersectoral and interdisciplinary manner.
ISSN:1678-4561