Health education practices: nursing review of self-care promotion

a enfermagem revendo conceitos na promoção do autocuidado

Abstract

This study reflects on health education practices which bring about the human dimension of health care and assure nurses the role of caregivers and, above all, educators for health. This article intends to: review concepts relevant to the relation between "being cared for" and "being a caregiver" and discuss the role of health education practices as a tool which increases self-care. According to a review of the literature and an understanding of education practices carried out during the internship period in health centers and medium-sized hospitals in the city of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, we found that health education practices made it possible to discuss the quality of life of people, a permanent challenge for health professionals who seek solutions to minimize the effect on health brought about and increased by social inequality.