Dificuldades no tratamento da doença crônica: relato de experiência de atividade de extensão

The present work aims to report the results of using conversation circle as an educational strategy in patients with Hypertension and Mellitus Diabetes. The topics of conversation were the difficulties in compliance to therapy. Thirteen patients took part in this activity through the Hypertension and Diabetes Program of a Health Basic Unit of a township in a metropolitan area of Curitiba – PR. An interview was conducted in first place, in order to identify the main difficulties in regard to the disease and to the treatment. The topics approached in the conversation circle resulted from the interview. They were divided in three main topics: nutrition, physical activity and drug therapy. This experience led us to reflect on the carried out activities and the importance of the active participation of hypertensive and diabetic patients in their treatments. We believe that this initiative will contribute to the development of health education strategies in order to increase the compliance to therapy, to avoid and/or to diminish complications arising from the pathology and to improve the quality of life of these individuals.