Pensamento crítico em saúde: análise das percepções e conhecimentos de profissionais de saúde e educação para a promoção de um processo formativo

Abstract

Knowledge about critical thinking among health and education professionals is important as it is a powerful tool for promoting social transformation and citizen engagement. However, mapping this knowledge among health and education professionals in order to propose training processes is a challenge given the multifaceted nature of the epistemic rationalities and practices they adopt. Thus, the general objective was to Analyze the perception of health and education professionals about critical thinking in health and the levels of health literacy, based on a training process to promote critical thinking in health. The design employed was qualitative and quantitative. The sample included health professionals working in the Family Health Program and elementary school education professionals, both members of the Health at School Program. Data was collected between March and April 2022. The qualitative data was collected through semi-structured interviews that were audio-recorded and later transcribed, which underwent a categorical content analysis. The quantitative data was obtained through a questionnaire and analyzed inferentially. The qualitative results showed a variety of conceptions of critical thinking, which points to the conceptual polysemy that the term carries. Four main conceptions of critical thinking were identified in this research: aimed at skills and competencies; stemming from logic/reason and science; aimed at social justice; with a focus on the emancipation of the subjects involved.The quantitative results showed that the level of health literacy was sufficient for a large proportion of the participants (84.3%), especially for health professionals (89.3%). Blacks and browns, married and living with a partner, with a degree/specialization, longer time working in the position, were associated with insufficient levels of health literacy.The conclusion is that critical promotion is a global issue that needs to be worked on, both in academic and work training, based on permanent government actions that stimulate it, in order to provide support for strategic management, political decision-making and practical actions in the areas of health and education.