Sanitary barriers and its contribution to medical education: an experience report

Abstract

Introduction: Regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, in a municipality in Minas Gerais, Health Education actions were carried out at health barriers, through communication between health students (mainly medical students) and the community. Objective: To report the experience of medical students in voluntary work in health barriers in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and reflect on its contribution to medical education. Method: An experience report that reflects the performance of two medical students in sanitary barriers in the city of Uberaba-MG, during the months of March and April 2020 in four different opportunities. At these occasions, the existence of symptoms in the driver and passengers was assessed and actions for prevention and health promotion were shared. Subsequently, this report was prepared, reflecting on the potential and limitations of the experience for the practice of Health Education and medical training, based on existing literature. Results: It was identified that it was possible to build shared learning between different areas of health and the population. Thus, it contributed to the sedimentation of the students’ theoretical knowledge through an interprofessional practice according to the National Curriculum
Guidelines of 2014 for the medical course. In addition, the concept of “Health Education” was contemplated when the empowerment of citizens has been reached with the action, especially in matters such as hygiene, social isolation, access to health, main symptoms, vaccination and, above all, deconstruction of fake news, making up an extremely successful dynamic. Conclusion: The experience contributed to the Health Education of the population and the training of volunteers, mainly medical students, through dialogue and the construction of knowledge with social responsibility.