MOTIVATION: A WORK TOOL FOR THE NURSE IN THE PRACTICE OF HEALTH EDUCATION IN PRIMARY CARE

Abstract

Introduction: Health education guides the work process towards the development of new professional practices by using the knowledge through different approaches. Thus, it is understood that educational practice can be considered as an important strategy to create opportunities for qualification of individual and collective care. It is perceived as a process of knowledge and experience exchange among professionals, managers and users in healthcare services and institutions. Objective: To know the perception of nurses about motivation as a tool in the practice of health education in primary care. Material and methods: This was a descriptive, exploratory study with a qualitative approach including 11 nurses working in primary health care units in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed according to thematic analysis. Results: The results allow inferring that health education is an activity carried out to support self-care, strengthen autonomy and reaffirm the user’s citizenship. Conclusion: Motivation is perceived as a working tool in the practice of health education. It may be a strategy to give greater visibility to the work of nurses, as well as to encourage their professional autonomy since their duties include educational activities focused on community health issues. DESCRIPTORS Nursing. Motivation. Health Education.