A família no Programa de Saúde da Família: perspectiva dos profissionais e dos usuários de uma Unidade de Saúde da Família

Abstract

This research consists of a case study of qualitative nature that tried to analyze the work of the top-level professionals of the “Estrada das Barreiras” Family Health Program in terms of their approach to the family in their work processes. In order to do achieve this, it was decided to collect data using strategies with interviews, focus groups and observations of consultations, providing sufficient data for an analysis the context of this research and the cross-referencing of these data through matrices. The results showed that despite the importance recognized by professionals in regards to approaching the family, it is, in fact, rarely practiced. Furthermore, the subjects were presented with some tools utilized in working with families, found in literature as the genogram, the life cycle, FIRO, PRACTICE and the Calgary Model of Intervention, and it was perceived that none of these instruments, nor any other, were being used by the subjects, and that further to this only the genogram was even known by these professionals. Out of all of the observations of the home visits (11visits) and the consultations (23 consultations) a family approach was observed in only one, whilst in all of the others the professional sought to care for the individual. Moreover, the home visits were made with the intention to care for patients unable to go to the healthcare unit or when there was supervision of the work of the ACS by the nurses; to see the reality experienced by the individual in their family context was not the main objective. This research also showed that the undergraduate programs, post-graduate programs including the Public Health / Family post-graduate, residency in this area and the short -courses including the Introductory in FHP, do not emphasize the family as the focus of health care and a professional’s approach to the family, and that even when realized there was no application in practice.