Relational responsibility as a useful tool to community participation in primary health care

Abstract

Social participation has been considered one of the guidelines of the National Health System (SUS - Sistema Único de Saúde). SUS aims to operationalize its principles by ensuring integral and democratic assistance, thus generating greater commitment and co-responsibility for the health project. As it is located within the community of intervention, the Primary Health Care (APS - Atenção Primária em Saúde) has been an excellent space for such practices. This article is a qualitative research developed from 2004 to 2006. The studied group is part of a Family Health Care Unit (Unidade de Saúde da Família) located in the interior of the State of São Paulo. By using the social constructionist concept of Relational Responsibility, the objective is to present an analysis of this group, giving visibility to the conversational processes between health professionals and users. The study shows how certain postures can favor the construction of engagement, of bonds and of co-responsibility, producing a more participative space. The group's conversations were recorded, transcribed and analyzed. The excerpts selected for the present analysis show the group building a link between the health care unit and the community. It becomes a space where both sides can meet and listen to each other. Finally, we emphasize the relevance of collective interventions within the APS as an important space for communication between health professionals and the community, valuing interaction, engagement and the bond. These meeting spaces can favor a posture of relational responsibility, generating new types of relationship, therefore contributing to the production of co-responsibility and social participation.