BETWEEN HEALTH AND VULNERABILITY: A VISIT TO THE PRIMARY HEALTH CARE UNIT

Abstract

This project reports on the experience of first-year medical students observing the morning work activities of Community Health Agents (ACSs) and Endemic Disease Control Agents (ACEs), respectively. The described scenario aligns with the National Curriculum Guidelines for the Medical Course, which reinforces the integrative practice of students with professionals from the Family Health Strategy – regulated and advocated by the National Primary Care Policy, one of the main models for reorganizing primary care within the Unified Health System (SUS). The objective was to observe the different health needs of the territory, understand the functioning of the entry point to the SUS and its methods of communication and qualified listening. This is a qualitative project carried out in stages, initially a meeting with the nurse of the Basic Health Unit (UBS), followed by group home visits with ACSs and, finally, home visits and visits to special points with ACEs. The visits were of paramount importance for developing a critical perspective on the basic needs of different communities, given that the visited primary health care unit (UBS) served three areas with distinct socioeconomic conditions, implying different comorbidities. Furthermore, it aided in understanding and improving the coordination of the functioning of both the Family Health Strategy (ESF) and the primary health care unit. We conclude that, after the experience described, active listening was vigorously practiced, both during the initial meeting with the nurse and during the home visits, assisting in the development of critical thinking towards the patient.