Medicalização: Uma crítica (im)pertinente?

Abstract

In this article, we argue about the concept of medicalization, exploring the possibilities offered by it visiting Michel Foucault’s works. From this framework, we analyzed medicine as a strategy of knowledge and power that responds to a variety of interests. We conducted a brief survey of some central concepts concerning the critical tradition of medicalization. We did also an investigation under the influence of archeologic and genealogic Foucaultian studies. We rethought some of these claims. We also did a dialogue, with Brazilian authors, as an effort of critical reflection on medicalization. We discussed the generic use of the concept, its productive potency, its a priori absence of a meaning and updated the actual medicalization phenomenon by proposing the concept of biomedicalization. We concluded that there is a multiplicity of readings and potencies on the concept of medicalization, recognizing within these concepts its strengths and weaknesses. Medicalization should be more profoundly discussed. It will encourage a greater theoretical precision of the concept, avoid misunderstandings and enhance the concept use and practice.