Objective Understanding feelings, meaning and resilience in patients staying in public hospitals in north-eastern Brazil. Methods An ethnographic investigation was carried out in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil, between January and July 2005 which involved 13 adult patients staying in a general public hospital, using qualitative methods. Free, open and exhaustive observation (by means of ethnographic interviews) was combined with the participants' description of vivid moments in their lives and their observations. The data was organised by thematic categorical analysis and humanisation, psychology and medical anthropology criteria were used for interpreting it. Results Multiple feelings were perceived by the patients (both negative and positive ones) regarding their experience of being hospitalised. The meaning of hospital for them covered danger, prison, suffering and learning. They used resilience strategies, ties of solidarity between patients, friends and family members, attitudes, thoughts and personal characteristics and religious faith for confronting their adversities. Conclusions The results encouraged us to continue taking steps towards professional practice facilitating harmonious coexistence in the hospital setting and carrying out further studies aimed at increasing patients' resilience.

Objetivo Conocer los sentimientos, significados y la resiliencia en pacientes de hospitales públicos en el nordeste de Brasil. Método Entre enero y julio de 2005 se realizó en Fortaleza, Ceará, Brasil, una investigación etnográfica con 13 pacientes adultos, en un hospital público general, utilizando métodos cualitativos. La observación libre, abierta y exhaustiva, por medio de entrevista etnográfica, se combinó con la descripción de los momentos vividos y las observaciones del participante. Los datos fueron organizados mediante Análisis Categórico Temático e interpretados sobre la base de criterios de humanización, Psicología y Antropología médica. Resultados Los sentimientos percibidos por los pacientes son múltiples, tanto negativos como positivos, en la experiencia de hospitalización. Los significados de hospital fueron: peligro, cárcel, sufrimiento y aprendizaje. Para hacer frente a las adversidades utilizan estrategias de resiliencia, lazos de solidaridad entre los pacientes, amigos y miembros de la familia, actitudes, pensamientos y características personales, y la fe religiosa. Conclusiones Las conclusiones nos animan a dar los pasos hacia una práctica profesional que facilite la coexistencia armoniosa en el entorno hospitalario y a realizar estudios que incrementen la resiliencia de los pacientes.

Objetivo Conocer los sentimientos, significados y la resiliencia en pacientes de hospitales públicos en el nordeste de Brasil. Método Entre enero y julio de 2005 se realizó en Fortaleza, Ceará, Brasil, una investigación etnográfica con 13 pacientes adultos, en un hospital público general, utilizando métodos cualitativos. La observación libre, abierta y exhaustiva, por medio de entrevista etnográfica, se combinó con la descripción de los momentos vividos y las observaciones del participante. Los datos fueron organizados mediante Análisis Categórico Temático e interpretados sobre la base de criterios de humanización, Psicología y Antropología médica. Resultados Los sentimientos percibidos por los pacientes son múltiples, tanto negativos como positivos, en la experiencia de hospitalización. Los significados de hospital fueron: peligro, cárcel, sufrimiento y aprendizaje. Para hacer frente a las adversidades utilizan estrategias de resiliencia, lazos de solidaridad entre los pacientes, amigos y miembros de la familia, actitudes, pensamientos y características personales, y la fe religiosa. Conclusiones Las conclusiones nos animan a dar los pasos hacia una práctica profesional que facilite la coexistencia armoniosa en el entorno hospitalario y a realizar estudios que incrementen la resiliencia de los pacientes.

Objective Understanding feelings, meaning and resilience in patients staying in public hospitals in north-eastern Brazil. Methods An ethnographic investigation was carried out in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil, between January and July 2005 which involved 13 adult patients staying in a general public hospital, using qualitative methods. Free, open and exhaustive observation (by means of ethnographic interviews) was combined with the participants' description of vivid moments in their lives and their observations. The data was organised by thematic categorical analysis and humanisation, psychology and medical anthropology criteria were used for interpreting it. Results Multiple feelings were perceived by the patients (both negative and positive ones) regarding their experience of being hospitalised. The meaning of hospital for them covered danger, prison, suffering and learning. They used resilience strategies, ties of solidarity between patients, friends and family members, attitudes, thoughts and personal characteristics and religious faith for confronting their adversities. Conclusions The results encouraged us to continue taking steps towards professional practice facilitating harmonious coexistence in the hospital setting and carrying out further studies aimed at increasing patients' resilience.

Estudo documental que teve por objetivos verificar semestres de oferta, horas-aula e porcentagem com que disciplinas específicas voltadas para o saber da Ética e Bioética se apresentam no currículo da Medicina; averiguar o caráter da transversalidade do conteúdo de Ética e Bioética nas demais disciplinas; identificar as linhas temáticas que sobressaem nos conteúdos das disciplinas específicas; e analisar o aspecto da multiprofissionalidade no corpo docente da Medicina. O conteúdo de Ética e Bioética no currículo de Medicina da Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC) tem espaço nas disciplinas específicas no 1º, 5º e 8º semestres, totalizando uma carga horária de 196 horas e, transversalmente, está inserido em boa parte das demais disciplinas do currículo, aspecto que merece ser incorporado ao currículo da Universidade Estadual do Ceará (UECE). As linhas temáticas incorporadas nas duas universidades mostram uma ampliação na percepção da própria Deontologia, não só focada em deveres, mas também incluindo novas exigências dos fenômenos socioculturais envolvidos. A diversidade profissional do corpo docente da UECE mostrou-se mais ampla do que na UFC. Propõe-se que as mudanças defendidas nas universidades em termos de reforma curricular sejam acompanhadas e avaliadas por seus beneficiários, para que o processo de formação médica possa, de fato, proporcionar o aprender a ser, a fazer, a conviver e a conhecer.

The aim of this documental study was to verify the offer, number of hours per class and percentage of disciplines involving Ethics and Bioethics in Medical Education; to analyze the transversal character of Ethics and Bioethics; to identify the thematic lines highlighted in the specific disciplines and to study the aspect of multiprofessionality of the docent body. There is some room for Ethics and Bioethics in the 1st, 5th and 8th semesters of the Medical Program of the Federal University of Ceará (UFC), summing up 196 hours, and transversally they are to a certain extent inserted in a good deal of the other disciplines of the program, an aspect that would deserve being incorporated into the Program of the University of the State of Ceará- UECE. The thematic lines incorporated in the two universities show a widened perception of Deontology itself, not only focused on duties but also contemplating new demands arising from the socio/cultural phenomenon involved. The UECE's professors showed a broader professional diversity than the docent body of the UFC. We suggest that the changes in terms of a reform of the course programs proposed at the Universities be followed and evaluated by the proper beneficiaries, thus contributing to their personal and professional growth.