Trabalho em saúde com pacientes apenados: Sentidos metafóricos gerados no contexto hospitalar

Abstract

Objective: To describe the metaphorical meanings generated based on the work process of the healthcare team with prisoners receiving inpatient care in a hospital. Methods: Qualitative exploratory research, using a socio-historical dialectic, was conducted with members of the health care team: the nursing staff (professional and technical nurses and nursing assistants), physicians, physiotherapists and nutritionists. Data collection was accomplished through recorded, semi-structured interviews. Data analysis was performed using the hermeneutic dialectic perspective. Results: Based on the central nucleus of metaphorical meaning for the concept "human", we identified four main themes: antagonistic feelings between patient and health care worker, gentleness, compassion and vulnerability. Conclusion: The positive and negative metaphorical meanings revealed that the work product exists; the process is permeated by a sense of stigmatism inherent in working with prisoners who are hospital patients.