Objective:
This study aimed to understand how patients with Hansen's Disease perceive self-care from the complexity perspective.
Methods:
Qualitative, descriptive and exploratory study based on the Collective Subject Discourse.
Results:
Sample composed of 15 subjects, most of whom were married males (66.6%) with a mean age of 52.3 years and were classified in the polarized forms of the disease. The following themes emerged from the DCS synthesis: having Hansen's Disease, drug therapy, self-care and lifestyle. The study provided visibility to the vertical model, which is largely hegemonic in the tradition of public health care policies, showing concern about only treating the disease, disregarding the complex relationships involved.
Conclusion:
Acknowledging these limitations and setting strategies to change them in favor of the dialogue among interprofessional team members are challenges to further develop self-care practices and to empower patients in relation to treatment and disease.
Hansen's disease; Leprosy; Self care; Philosophy in nursing