EDUCAÇÃO POPULAR EM SAÚDE: SIGNIFICADO DA EXPERIÊNCIA NA FORMAÇÃO DE AGENTES COMUNITÁRIOS DE SAÚDE

Michele Neves Meneses; Cristianne Maria Famer Rocha; Elizabeth Martínez Buenabad; Ramona Fernanda Ceriotti Toassi

doi:10.1590/SciELOPreprints.4830

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Michele Neves Meneses Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0933-7051
Cristianne Maria Famer Rocha Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3281-2911
Elizabeth Martínez Buenabad Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5026-6814
Ramona Fernanda Ceriotti Toassi Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4653-5732

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/SciELOPreprints.4830

Keywords:

community health workers, popular education, health human resource training, Primary Health Care, Unified Health System

Abstract

This case study brings results of qualitative research whose objective was to analyze the meaning of the experience of training the Community Health Workers (CHW) in the Qualification Program in Popular Education in Health (EdPopSUS), one of the priority strategies of the operational plan of the National Policy of Popular Education for the Unified Health System. The production of information included document analysis (didactic material of the Program, letter of expectations and final letter of CHW) and semi-structured interviews with CHW (n=17), health and course managers (n=4). The textual material produced was interpreted by content analysis, in light of the theoretical framework of Popular Education. The results showed that EdPopSUS encouraged reflection, dialogue and affection, enhancing the creativity and autonomy of CHW, in an educational space of self-knowledge and interaction with their experienced world. The CHW 's personal and professional experiences were valued, qualifying their communication with the team-community-families, listening skills and conducting collective educational activities. Field trips and conversation circles were highlighted as potentialities of this training. Challenges were identified in the implementation of the principles of Popular Education in the work of Primary Health Care. The experience strengthened the role of CHW as a change agent and popular educator. In this sense, Popular Health Education was reinforced in this research as a pedagogical-social practice that strengthens people, movements, teams, care practices and the health system. Educational processes based on Popular Education are recommended in the permanent education of health teams.