Abstract:
Introduction:
A clear discrepancy in the health status between social groups in Brazil, particularly the homeless population (HP), can be inferred from the apparent inequalities when considering health from a holistic perspective. The homeless have to deal with institutionalized abandonment, and the COVID-19 pandemic has accentuated this issue. Addressing this theme has become an essential element of the training of health professionals.
Experience Report:
The interest of medicine students at UFERSA in actions directed at the HP was triggered by teachers’ experiences of coordinating service-learning integration actions with the street health care unit in Mossoró, and tackling issues related to the most vulnerable groups throughout the course. In 2019 the “Health on the Streets” action is therefore launched in partnership with the street health care unit, providing support to the HP in several aspects, and involving the participation of the medicine students. The action, proposed based on the students’ own initiative, marked the start of the planning for including care for this group in the internship program of the course, as well as the creation of a longitudinal community outreach project for actions with the HP. The students had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the reality of this population, while the users had the autonomy to share their experiences and sufferings.
Discussion:
Following an academic method that aims to break away from the technicist model, the students gave voice to the HP and, understanding these people as subjects of the process, reflected on the role of medicine in transforming their reality.
Conclusion:
The academics who participated in this project enhanced their empathy and desire for democratic and accessible public health. It also became evident that tackling specific issues regarding vulnerable groups is indispensable, with a view to strengthening the role of the physician in guaranteeing the right to health.
Keywords:
Homeless Persons; Empathy; Comprehensive Health Care; Vulnerable Groups; Medical Education