Social representations as an epistemological matrix of health care and Nursing

to reflect on the epistemological aspects of Social Representations Theory in the field of health care and Nursing.

this is a theoretical-reflective essay based on the conceptual reading of the main texts that influenced this theory. These texts were articulated with the literature in the health field.

social representations are the ways in which groups interpret the reality in which they live and guide their behaviors and practices. They function as a symbolic substance situated between what can be observed and what cannot be directly apprehended. From this perspective, they make it possible to understand how individuals and groups formulate their beliefs based on their experiences and on the values attributed to their lived experiences. In studies on health care and Nursing, this theory seeks to understand the representations established about care, as well as the meanings attributed to it.

social representations bring researchers closer to the contexts that sustain meanings, allowing them to understand people's beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors related to health and illness processes, thus supporting the development of therapeutic plans that are more aligned with the needs of those receiving care.