Processo de trabalho de enfermeiros na atenção primária à saúde de uma região do Estado de Minas Gerais

Abstract

Introduction: Nurses play a central role in the multidisciplinary Primary Health Care (PHC) team, which is considered the main gateway to the Brazilian public health system. In this context, understanding the work processes of nurses in PHC is essential to improve health care. General Objective: to understand the constitution of the work processes of nurses in PHC teams of the Unified Health System (SUS), in a region of the state of Minas Gerais. Method: This is a descriptive study with a quantitative and cross-sectional approach. The research was conducted with 88 nurses linked to PHC teams in 24 municipalities of a health region of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Data collection was performed using a standardized and structured instrument, containing closed and open questions, sent by e-mail and completed online, via Google form. The variables analyzed were grouped into six blocks: personal identification; professional training; information management and knowledge translation; employment, work and salary conditions; collective practices in the Basic Health Units (UBS) – Family Health Strategy (ESF); and individual practices. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The social and demographic characterization of the participants revealed that the majority are female, white, Catholic, young, between 31 and 45 years old, do not live in their place of birth, work in the municipality where they live and have between 11 and 20 years of experience in the PHC/ESF. Regarding employment conditions, the majority are part of an eSF (family health team), with a workload of 40 hours per week, as public servants, without a job, career or salary plan, or performance bonus. The working conditions in the UBS/ESF are assessed as good by the majority. Professionals graduated from private institutions between 2005 and 2009, with a lato sensu postgraduate degree in family health and public health predominate. Digital media and the work environment are the main sources of access to information, but there are difficulties in using scientific evidence to support practices and in participating in scientific events. The collective and individual practices of nurses are consolidated in six dimensions: social control, surveillance and information, health education and communication, equity, comprehensiveness, management of the UBS and action in the territory. A high performance of these professionals was observed, which shows the consolidation of their work processes both in management activities and in direct care for users. However, the need for continuous investment for the sustainability of nurses' actions was highlighted. Final Considerations: This study contributes to the field of PHC by characterizing the work process of nurses. Future studies, with qualitative approaches, could deepen the investigation into the facilities and challenges of the nurses' work process, to compare different types of teams and evaluate the effectiveness of PHCs in the territories served, in order to improve care strategies.