Influences of the psychiatric reform in nursing care at the casa de saúde esperança, in Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil (1994-1998)

Abstract

The aim of this socio-historical study was to describe the insertion process of nurses and to analyze the reformulation strategies of nursing care at the Casa de Saúde Esperança from 1994 to 1998. Historical sources, written and oral documents, were analyzed based on Michel Foucault’s concept of power/knowledge. The results showed that, after nearly three decades of working in the absence of or with only one nurse, the Casa de Saúde Esperança hired four nurses, in order to meet the legal requirements of operation. To expand their power/knowledge in nursing, the nurses promoted meetings and trainings with the team. It was concluded that the strategies used produced effects such as: greater recognition of the power/knowledge in nursing; practical knowledge giving way to scientific knowledge; development of a more humanized care; and accreditation of the institution in psychiatry IV, which, by psychiatric hospitals’ classification, allowed its operation in partnership with the Unified Health System.