Care beyond health

mapping bonding, autonomy and emotional territory in family health

Abstract

This reflection aims to discuss health care and the concepts of bonding, autonomy and territory as a structuring of care practices, from the perspective of the subjectivity of patients requiring care at the Family Health Strategy. It starts from an experience when a team witnessed a patient with a diagnosis of breast cancer; at first, care turned to the need for care of a wound. However, the patient's physical pain was lower than that related to the pain due to the absence of her family. By deciding to discontinue drug treatment, she highlighted her unique demands of care that fell outside the scope of technologies offered by the health care service. Facing this demand, professionals experienced a process of redefining concepts, knowledge and care practices. New linkages were established in a territory that was not only physical and institutional, but also affective. Respecting the patient's autonomy involved creating new forces of care, beyond technical and scientific knowledge. Based on this experience, it was realized that care itself goes beyond the offer of actions and health services. If considered from the perspective that, during health care, we deal with subjects, their lives and individually produced care perspectives, health care cannot be subjugated to procedures, routines and care protocols. The Family Health Strategy constitutes a privileged locus of care experiences that go beyond health itself.