The path of thought

reflections on the methodological path of a project involving people living with HIV/AIDS

Abstract

Considering the importance of reflections on the methodological path of qualitative studies and its implications on the type of study, data collection instruments, analysis and interpretations, this article presents and reflects on the methodology used in the Reconectando Vidas project, which objective was – alongside people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) – to propose strategies to strengthen and qualify reception in health services. The main methodological challenge of the project was to “access” and “understand” what was experienced by the participants of a study that would address a topic that so intimately mobilizes people’s life stories and that is still so permeated by stigmas. The methodology involved different spaces of participation: individual - writing letters compiled in a book; collectives – workshops which product was the development of strategies to strengthen reception for PLWHA; documentary production with protagonists living with HIV/AIDS - seeking a dialogical communication with society that goes beyond the normative and controlling biomedical discourse and is averse to stigma. The formation of the project team with researchers living with HIV/AIDS, representatives of social movements and also people working in reception services, gave the participants confidence, “nothing about us, without us” to repeat a phrase they said. We reinforce that the generation of knowledge aimed at the elaboration, implementation and execution of public policies requires the participation of those for whom they are intended and the importance of the translation of knowledge that goes beyond the circulation of results only between academic peers.