# (Not) Being cared for in hospital settings: patients’ experience from Foucault’s perspective

## TL;DR

This paper explores patients' experiences of care (or lack thereof) in hospitals using Michel Foucault's theories to understand power dynamics and safety in healthcare settings.

## Contribution

It introduces a novel application of Foucault's framework to analyze patient experiences and safety perceptions in hospital care.

## Key findings

- Patients' experiences of care are shaped by their sense of safety and engagement in the care process.
- Foucault's concepts of power, knowledge, and discipline reveal the complexity of interactions in hospital settings.
- Amplifying patient voices highlights the need for empowerment and secure care environments.

## Abstract

to understand patients’ experience of (lack of) care in hospital settings from Foucault’s perspective.

this is the partial result of research using Grounded Theory as a methodological framework, in light of Michel Foucault’s theoretical framework. Data collection was carried out with 30 participants.

theoretical concepts “enjoying safe care” emerged, composed of subconcepts “receiving safe care” and “feeling safe to engage in care”, and “identifying unsafe care”, with subconcepts “recognizing risks” and “feeling insecure”.

by amplifying patients’ voice, it was possible to capture their needs and reflect on which aspects are a reference of (in)security for them. Understanding the relations of power, knowledge and discipline in hospital settings, in light of Foucault, highlighted the complexity of interactions in care provision, favoring leading role and empowering patients for their care.

apreender a vivência do paciente sobre o (des)cuidado no ambiente hospitalar na perspectiva de Foucault.

trata-se do resultado parcial de pesquisa utilizando a Teoria Fundamentada nos Dados como referencial metodológico, à luz do referencial teórico de Michel Foucault. A coleta de dados foi realizada com 30 participantes.

emergiram os conceitos teóricos “desfrutando do cuidado seguro”, composto pelos subconceitos “recebendo cuidado seguro” e “sentindo-se seguro para envolver-se no cuidado”, e “identificando o cuidado inseguro”, com os subconceitos “reconhecendo riscos” e “sentindo insegurança”.

ao ampliar a voz do paciente, foi possível captar suas necessidades e refletir sobre quais aspectos são referência de (in)segurança para ele. Compreender as relações de poder, saber e disciplina no ambiente hospitalar, à luz de Foucault, evidenciou a complexidade das interações na realização do cuidado, favorecendo o protagonismo e empoderando o paciente para seu cuidado.