Competence of health professionals in problematizing and reflecting on the situations of people with chronic conditions

Abstract

Objective: To assess the impact of the Specialization Course in Care for People with Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases on health professionals’ work, focusing on the ability to problematize and reflect on situations of people with chronic conditions. Method: Ex-post facto evaluation based on the Experiential Learning Cycle, with emphasis on reflective observation. Conducted between May 2023 and June 2024, the research followed COREQ guidelines and included semi-structured interviews with 41 graduates, after ethical approval. Forty codes, 4 subcategories, and a central axis were identified. Funding: CNPq and FAPESC. Results: Reflective observation, according to the Theory of Experiential Learning, was fundamental to developing skills in problematizing and reflecting on situations and contexts experienced by people with chronic conditions. Conclusion: The study highlights the importance of reflective observation in the development of skills for the management of chronic conditions and the integration of Experiential Learning Theory in the training of health professionals to improve care.