Communication on disclosure of tuberculosis diagnosis and adherence to treatment: Social representations of professionals and patients

Abstract

Objective: identifying social representations of health professionals and patients with tuberculosis in an initial interview for diagnostic disclosure and analyzing discursive content regarding the relation of this mode of communication during the interview for adherence of these patients to tuberculosis treatment. Method: a descriptive and qualitative study. A semi-structured interview was conducted with 39 health professionals involved in the initial tuberculosis diagnosis disclosure interview and 34 adult patients undergoing treatment in 22 health units in the southern region of São Paulo (Brazil). Discourse analysis was based on the discussions about “Awareness”, developed by Paulo Freire. Results: a lack of explanations resulted in patients not understanding the diagnosis, abrasiveness by health professionals, the need for health education and how to approach the patient have emerged as conditions that influence patient adherence to treatment. Conclusion: regarding communication, we have identified a professional exercise that is contrary to promoting patient adherence to treatment, since it does not allow them to critically reflect on their current situation, and consequently does not modify their reality (in choosing adhesion and cure), thus characterizing incompetent communication.