The social constructionist epistemology repositions professional and patient as coauthors in health care. Assuming this perspective, we sought in this study to understand the discursive practices of people diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia about the position of patient and professional in the construction of the treatment. Individual audio taped interviews were conducted with patients from one service center in eating disorders. The social construcionist discourse guided the investigation. For the analysis of this material we used the following proposals: thematic-sequential boundaries, discursive practices and production of meanings, and positioning theory. Thus, we discussed on how the standards of professional-patient coordination can sediment positions and provide little room for negotiations. Proposals such as open dialogue and collaborative partnership were offered as possibilities for building new professional-patient relationships, understanding that the conquest of welfare is a product of joint action.
professional-patient relation; patient participation; eating disorder