Health promotion in primary care: Michel foucault's genealogy to analyse changes in practices

Abstract

This chapter aimed to present the methodological path of research that attempted to analyse Health Promotion in Primary Care based on Foucauldian theorisations. We described the characteristics of Michel Foucault's genealogical method and the techniques employed in the research. At the end of the study, we concluded that Health Promotion activities in the studied setting derive from the possibilities generated by different, discontinuous, historical events. We identified a heterogeneous field in which different knowledge and practices coexist. We highlighted the practices aligned with a neoliberal discourse where individuals and communities must be solely responsible for their health. On the other hand, resistance resides in the activities inscribed in the Social Determination of Health, where Health Promotion was understood as an effort involving different actors to build better living conditions in the communities.