EVALUATION AND PROSPECTING OF ATTENTION / CARE FOR ETHNIC GROUPS IN URBAN SITUATIONS THROUGH MEDICINAL GARDEN

Abstract

The evaluation of medical health services uses a frequently used qualitative methodology to construct a group perspective on a specific topic of interest or demand, based on participants' responses and testimonies. The volunteer team at the Dr. Benoit Mure Center for Studies, Research, Assistance, and Care of the Homeopathy Service of the 7th Ward of the Santa Casa da Misericórdia Hospital in Rio de Janeiro is characterized by a predominance of mature and elderly individuals who are fully active. After the period of social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, the team decided to attend in person to evaluate the "health space - sensory garden," which they had planned. After a year and a half, it was time to evaluate all this effort and assess any unforeseen issues that occurred, through a retrospective analysis, and then move forward with the development of prospects for new designs for the garden in the service, and how this would be implemented if the project were to continue. The objective was to evaluate, from the perspective of users, staff, and volunteers, the status of a service implemented by all—the sensory medicinal garden—in terms of its challenges and possibilities. The specific objectives were: to describe the creation and trajectory of the garden space; to describe the challenges and strengths of the garden space; and to list possibilities for maintenance, resizing, and sustainability of the garden space. The investment in the evaluative diagnosis is particularly important, as it enabled consistent qualitative results, resulting in the generation of diverse Social Technology products for the community, aimed at health education and health promotion. The conclusion was that the garden space fulfills its purpose, and the garden space project could be restarted with the participation of the group of users, staff, and volunteers to move toward revitalization. The goal was to summarize the activities deliberated by the work of strengthening the group and developing cultural competence among the participants in this intercultural experience. The guiding question was clarified by collectively answering it. This methodology empowered the voice of all project participants as knowledge producers. The perverse energy of the period was overcome by the team's healthy attitude. The relevance of the service provided by volunteer professionals who continue a project they co-authored is paramount.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56238/sevened2025.029-085