Atuação farmacêutica em práticas de educação em saúde envolvendo plantas medicinais na atenção primária de Currais Novos-RN

Abstract

The use of medicinal plants in the context of primary health care is a reality. Therefore, it is necessary to discuss the topic in a more complex and in-depth way with users, in order to demystify some issues inherent to this context. This work aims to report the experience of developing a health education activity on the topic of medicinal plants, led by a pharmaceutical resident, within the scope of primary health care in the municipality of Currais Novos-RN. This is a descriptive and critical-reflective experience report of the process of planning and executing a health education activity on medicinal plants in a basic health unit in the east zone of the aforementioned municipality, developed during the year 2024, based on a bibliographic survey and direct observation of the work processes and routine of the services. After this, the workshop “Talking about the Rational Use of Medicinal Plants” was planned and executed. The workshop was divided into four stages to better address the content, emphasizing the introductory aspects of the use of medicinal plants (concept, origin of use, production of synthetic medicines from plants, scientific and popular nomenclature), identification of plant species, differences between types of teas, and safety and effectiveness of the use of medicinal plants. These were addressed using the teaching-learning methodologies of discussion circles and gamification, with the use of thematic puzzles and true or false dynamics. At the end of the workshop, it was found that the pedagogical objectives were achieved, in this case, the approach to content and active methodologies based on the indication of integrative review and user needs. This was particularly enhanced by the encouragement of the mobilization of users' prior knowledge and by pharmaceutical action, in order to foster dialogue between academic and popular knowledge. Therefore, experiences like this strengthen the role of primary care as a space for promoting comprehensive health, valuing popular knowledge and implementing ongoing educational actions to empower users in caring for their health.