Quaternary Prevention: from social medicalization to integral care on the Primary Health Care

Abstract

Objective

to know the perceptions and perspectives of health professionals for the development of Quaternary Prevention in Primary Health Care.

Method

an Appreciative Research, which applied the phases of the “4-D cycle”: discovery, dream, design and destiny. This article analyzes the results referring to the discovery phase (discovery), in which nine professionals from Primary Care participated in two corresponding meetings. Content analysis was performed, following the steps of pre-analysis, material exploration and data treatment.

Results

the Quaternary Prevention represents a potentiality in care innovation, with the possibility of reducing social medicalization, which occurs through over-medicalization, over-diagnosis and overtreatment. As perspectives, it is presented the need for society and professionals to be aware of these excesses and the (re) positioning of the industry, market and media about the meaning of “being healthy”.

Conclusion and implications for the practice

it is necessary to pay attention to ethics in care provision regarding screening, diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Quaternary Prevention has potential to revert a hegemonic model in relation to the care of individuals and families by promoting integrality. Nursing, as a care provider, together with the multi-professional team, must incorporate Quaternary Prevention actions in its practices.

Keywords:
Continuing Education; Medicalization; Nursing; Primary Health Care; Quaternary Prevention