INTERTWINING PATHS AND CARE: HEALTH CARTOGRAPHY FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE USERS OF THE CLINIC ON THE STREET

Abstract

The Street Clinic represents a vital element in the provision of health care to the Homeless Population, a group traditionally marginalized in access to health services. Objective: The purpose of this study is to explore and elucidate how users of the Street Office perceive the health care they receive, identifying and mapping the existential territories that influence the interaction of users with health services and how this affects the formation of their subjectivities. Method: A cartographic research approach was used to generate data, which were collected through the participant observation of the researcher during the activities of the Street Office and through semi-structured interviews with the users of this service. Data validation was conducted with the support of members of the Laboratory of Interdisciplinary Qualitative Studies and Research in Health (LabQuali). Results: The findings indicate that the Street Office implements adaptable lines of care and establishes itself as a health reference point for users, contributing to the promotion of emancipatory actions and the strengthening of individuals' autonomy. Conclusion: The study reveals the importance of flexible and humanized approaches in the provision of health care, and highlights the value of practices that favor the emancipation and accountability of users in the management of their own health. The research highlights the Street Clinic as an innovative model of care that effectively responds to the needs of a population often made invisible in public health policies.