Itinerário Terapêutico de pessoas acometidas por amputação em decorrência de pé diabético: enredos de (des)cuidado.

Introduction: Chronic illness requires continuous care from individuals and requires that health care modes include interprofessional and intercultural actions. Thus, the subjects compose their therapeutic itineraries, both via the institutionalized sphere of health services, and through the “informal” field, such as religious practices and homemade medications. In this plot, the biomedical model is predominant in the ways services are organized, in the professionals' work processes and in the way users build their paths in the health care network – formal or informal. In this context, diabetes brings with it implications that often require changes in daily activities, social, family and work relationships. In addition, when not properly controlled, it is responsible for several complications, among which the diabetic foot. Diabetic foot is a very serious problem, since it is responsible for greater chances of lower limb amputation. This study analyzes the therapeutic itineraries of individuals with lower limb amputation due to diabetic foot. Methodology: This is a qualitative research, developed with 20 people who had amputation of lower limbs due to diabetic foot, living in rural and urban areas of Vitória da Conquista, Bahia. Data production involved in-depth semi-structured interviews and data were analyzed using Thematic Content Analysis, with the Holistic Analysis of Therapeutic Itineraries as theoretical-methodological support. Results: Four dimensions were evidenced: 1) Facing the illness - senses and meanings lead behaviors. The understanding of the health-disease-care process, influenced by the sociocultural context, defined the starting moment of the search for care. The absence of symptoms delayed the search for assistance and limited knowledge about the disease conditioned the reluctant behavior. In addition, the illness brought suffering to the subjects who felt powerless when facing the complications of the disease. 2) Dealing with vulnerabilities – economic and social aspects mark IT decisions. ...