Care resignification in the pandemic context.

Area of Science:

• Healthcare
• Psychoanalysis
• Public Health

Background:

• COVID-19 pandemic created unprecedented challenges for healthcare professionals.
• Existing frameworks inadequately address the complex emotional and practical aspects of pandemic care.
• Need for a nuanced understanding of care in crisis situations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the care process of health professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To integrate psychoanalytic and collective health perspectives for a comprehensive view of care.
• To propose a framework for resignifying illness and suffering in a pandemic context.

Main Methods:

• Theoretical analysis integrating Donald Winnicott's transitional space (psychoanalysis).
• Application of collective health concepts: practical wisdom (Ayres), micropolitics of live work (Merhy), and prudent care (Mattos).
• Exploration of subjective experiences, including narcissistic and heroic meanings, alongside feelings of impotence.

Main Results:

• Pandemic care is characterized by complex emotional responses, including heroism and helplessness.
• Existing care models require expansion to encompass the unique stressors of a health catastrophe.
• The manifestation of care involves narcissistic and heroic elements alongside profound feelings of impotence.

Conclusions:

• An expanded perspective on care is crucial for health professionals during pandemics.
• This perspective fosters creative meaning-making and provides essential support for professionals.
• Resignifying life experiences through love, creativity, and practical wisdom enhances professional well-being.