ENHANCEMENT OF MEDICINE INTEGRATED INTO COMMUNITY HEALTH: EXPERIENCE REPORT ON ACADEMIC INSERTION THROUGH HOME VISITS

Abstract

Introduction: Primary Health Care (PHC) serves as the gateway to the Unified Health System (SUS), and the integration between teaching and community practice can be experienced in medical school in Brazil. Therefore, the Family Health Strategy (FHS) and the work of Community Health Agents (CHA) generate highly satisfactory actions that ultimately establish connections between professionals and the community, being fundamental for health promotion, prevention, and monitoring. Objective: To report the academic experience of medical students during home visits, highlighting the importance of integration between the university, the community, and PHC professionals. Methodology: This is an experience report developed by a first-year medical student. The activities related to the monitoring of a CHA took place at a UBSF (Basic Family Health Unit), including home visits to families in situations of social vulnerability and with multiple comorbidities. Results: These activities, proposed by the MISCO Axis at all UNIRV units, provide students with direct contact with the social and clinical realities of the community, highlighting the complexity of home care. Multiple chronic conditions, self-care practices, use of home medications, and risk factors such as smoking and family history of diseases were observed. Conclusion: The experience reinforced the importance of integrated work between students, CHWs, and the health team in primary care. It was found that home visits broaden understanding of community medical practice, strengthen the effectiveness of the SUS (Brazilian Unified Health System), and highlight the importance of this moment for students. Furthermore, CHWs are highlighted as protagonists in health promotion and strengthening community bonds.