Abstract:

This study discusses the activities carried out in a health promotion program conducted with the Boys' Project, which involves 40 adolescents at psychosocial risk affiliated with a community center in Uberaba, Minas Gerais State. The activities, lasting one semester, are conducted by faculty members from the Department of Social Medicine and first-year medicine students, aimed at helping understand the surrounding reality (studying it through a process of dialogue with other social segments) and incorporating more highly-developed values like human rights, solidarity, ethics, and social responsibility. Activities included home visits and discussion of health themes through a team consisting of medical students, adolescents, and teachers from the Boys' Project among others. Results of the discussions are shared with the staff of the Family Health Program working in the area, serving as back-up to develop activities with the target population. The process showed that medical students were initially resistant to learning about the boys' social reality, assuming a commitment vis-à-vis health/disease aspects in the community, or developing joint activities. During the process a change occurred towards a friendlier behavior among both groups (boys and medical students), exchange of information and experiences, and the collaborative preparation of, educational events. Students were thus able to help promote the boys' physical and mental health, while reflecting on their own social commitment and the importance of teamwork, essential skills for their future practice as physicians.

Key-words:
Social Medicine; Education, Medical; Adolescence; Health Promotion; Adolescent Health Services