Abstract

FIGUEROA, JORGE et al. BEYOND IGNORANCE AND IN VISIBILITY: TOWARD THE DECONSTRUCTION OF SOCIAL REPRESENTATIONS OF LEPROSYS STIGMA IN MEDICAL EDUCATION. Maguare [online]. 2023, vol.37, n.2, pp.59-91.  Epub Apr 02, 2024. ISSN 0120-3045.  https://doi.org/10.15446/mag.v37n2.110649.

This paper analyzes a group of medical interns and how their medical discourses about leprosy, influenced by their knowledge and beliefs can impact the doctor-patient relationship. This exploratory and mixed descriptive study reveals that the stigma surrounding leprosy persists due to its invisibility in medical education and the enduring symbolic historical and social burden it carries. Nevertheless, a greater biomedical and experiential understanding of leprosy, coupled with increased awareness of its sociocultural dimensions in medical-training settings can increase medical professional's awareness of leprosy's stigma and mitigate future doctors' negative views and prejudices when interacting with patients affected by the disease.

Keywords : biomedical knowledge; beliefs; medical discourse; stigma; medical education; leprosy; social representation.

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