Popular health practices and the training of university students

experiences in a curricular activity of teaching-research-extension integration

Abstract

Popular Education has been crucial in the training professionals in the health field, using participatory pedagogical processes to enhance the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS). Thus, the objective of this study was to understand the meanings and significance of experiences with Popular Practices and Integrative and Complementary Health Practices (Pics) in the training of participants in the teaching-research-extension integration curricular activity “Popular Health Practices”. The research was constructed based on the analysis of records of experiences through reflective portfolios produced by the participants. As observed in the narratives and records, there were reports of re-signification of knowledge, questions, and reflections on real and desired scenarios. The importance of using a methodology that allows participants to integrate reflection and practice, based on the concept of Popular Health Education, is highlighted, proving to be effective in the process of meaningful learning. It is concluded that extension activities on Popular Practices and Pics are relevant today, evidencing their positive impacts on the training of participants. An increase in the search for these practices was observed during the Covid-19 pandemic, which contributed to self-knowledge; physical and psychological well-being; re-signification of knowledge; and protagonism in training.