The experience of a specialized health service for the care of Indian patients

Abstract

A descriptive study, of qualitative nature, in the modality of experience report. A paper developed in a specialized health service for the care of Indian patients, based on university extension activities of users’ reception, health promotion and education. The Indian outpatients clinic and São Paulo’s Hospital, of the Federal University of São Paulo, are references in medium and high complexity service to Indian populations in several regions in Brazil. The extension projects were intended to create conversation spaces, to identify perceptions about the health-disease process and to establish a health care project, from the identification of the indigenous patient needs. The proposal of forming bonds with Indian patients that go beyond the objective of solving a health problem to enter the interfaces among health, culture and life style was a challenge for the health staff. It can be concluded that the outpatient clinic of the Indian is a permanent space for reflection, for a differentiated service to these patients in the areas of health assistance, teaching, research and extension.