FOUCAULDIAN NOTES FOR HEALTH RESEARCH

Abstract

This article proposes an investigation into the dynamics of knowledge-power in the field of health, using Michel Foucault’s major works as a theoretical guide. Foucault challenges traditional conceptions of power and knowledge, offering a relevant theoretical framework for health research. The analysis is divided into five main sections, exploring different aspects of Foucauldian theories, namely: The Construction of Knowledge-Power in Health Research, Discourse Analysis and the Construction of Truth in the Health Domain, The History of Sexuality and the Microphysics of Power: Deconstructing Stigmas, Discipline and Punish: Discipline and Control of Bodies, and The Ethics of Care in Health. Each section highlights the importance of Foucault’s works in understanding how power relations influence healthcare practices and interventions. Furthermore, this study encourages researchers to adopt a critical and reflective stance regarding the knowledge they produce, considering the ethical and political implications of their research practices.