Support group as a caregiving strategy of care given to cardiopath individuals

Abstract

Report of caring activity developed with a group of cardiopaths. The objectives were: to develop a caregiving practice with a support group of cardiopaths based on Paulo Freire’s conception of education and on Polak’s understanding of care; to provide the cardiopaths with knowledge related to the prevention of damages and limitations in view of their health conditions; to discuss and strategies of care that may allow these individuals to cope with their health condition. In view of that, strategies were designed and developed in different places that ended up with the formation of a support group in a Health Basic Unit. The results of this study showed that the group activity is an important strategy for the nursing practice. The themes that emerged from the group and that characterize the cardiopath condition were categorized in: the disease temporality; the discovering of a support group, and organizing oneself to have a better life. It was concluded that there is much to be reviewed about caring for the cardiopath in groups, including the training of health professionals and, among them, the nurse. The role of the school in the teaching process is important while promoting self-knowledge and understanding that it is possible to acknowledge the other according to one’s own life style and experience.