This study aims at presenting and analyzing the use of a portfolio in the home visits to aged people made by second year medical students attending the topic-based module "Aging" at the State University of Londrina. The information analyzed was collectedfromforty portfolios presented by the students on concluding the module in 2006. The portfolio contains data regarding identification of the patient, anamnesis, physical examination and complementary exams, medicines as well as functional, cognitive and social assessments. The information selected for analysis was: description and evaluation of the home visits by the students. The main advantages from the viewpoint of the students were the possibility of applying the acquired knowledge (50.0%), the establishment of links (37.2 %) and the development of a good doctor-patient relationship (35.9%). On the other hand, the main difficulties pointed out by the students were insecurity (26.9%), doubt regarding consent (15.4%) and invasion of privacy (12.8%). The analysis suggests home health care delivery to be important in the education of future professionals capable of attending the aged population in a satisfactory way. Moreover, the portfolio showed to be a pedagogical tool contributing to active learning and making the students get involved with the content proposed for the activity.
Aged; Home nursing; Education Medical; Geriatrics
