A rede social do paciente hipertenso

Abstract

Arterial hypertension is the most prevalent chronic disease in the modern world. Its treatment demands the continued use of pharmacological drugs, frequent check-ups and medical appointments as well as the changes in life habits that altogether make it difficult to control this disorder. Recent studies point that the social network has positive influence over the patients' maintenance of mental and physical health regardless of the phase of life they are in. The aim of this study was to determine family and non-family social network of hypertensive patients and to identify how this network takes place in health-disease situations. This research has a qualitative approach and was conducted with 20 hypertensive patients aged 50 to 80 who had been under urgency/emergency medical attention at Maringá City Hospital - PR, due to an acute hypertensive episode. Data was collected from March to June 2009 at the patients' homes by recording the interviews performed using a semi-structured script. The interviews were transcribed and later submitted to the thematic content analysis proposed by Bardin. Results highlighted factors that influence the establishment and maintenance of consanguine network such as death, disease, geographic distance and work and family activities. There were differences in the quality of the link between the hypertensive patients and their family members and in some cases there was a detachment between them. Friendship is an important support for coping with life's adversities, which may be as strong as or even stronger then blood ties. A short period of residence in a given neighborhood interferes in the hypertensive patient link with his or her neighbors. Telephone calls and home visits were the resources used to keep friends in touch. Besides the house, the church, the hydro-gymnastics club and the family health care center were also mentioned as get-together places. Regarding the family health care center, the hypertensive patient has a weak link with it, perceiving an inadequate concern from the staff. From the patients' view this is limited to the provision of drugs, exams and medical appointments. When the patient realizes him or herself as sick and looks for the family health care center, there is a lack of incentives to participate in meetings offered in the facility. The family is the most accessed social network during the disease process, mainly regarding nutrition and help in taking the drugs. They feel the same way towards the relationship with friends and doctors. The nurse was not mentioned as being present and active in providing support and orientation to this population. Hence, it is important to highlight that nurses must make themselves more visible to patients and community. Also, health professionals must deepen their knowledge about social networks used by the hypertensive patients as a strategy for providing a more effective assistance aiming the improvement of life quality of this particular population both in the physical and psychological features.