Nursing work process in Street Clinic to combat vulnerability of the Homeless Persons

Abstract

Abstract Background The Street Clinic was created to expand access to health for Homeless Persons. Within the service, the role of the nursing team is very important in accessing and establishing care, welcoming, bond building, promoting a save environment, health prevention and education, interdisciplinary communication, patient management and articulation with other services. The research aimed to analyze the objects, instruments, purposes and products in the nursing work process, considering the principle of equity of Brazilian National Health System and the serious vulnerability of the population in question. In this way, it is necessary to understand the valorization of nursing. Methods Study of qualitative approach with participant observation, field diary, application of three semi-structured interviews and use of thematic content analysis method. The study scenario was the nursing team of the Street Clinic in a city in the interior of São Paulo. Results The following elements of the nursing work process were analyzed: dwelling place, health demands and intersectionality of this population (objects); team organization, materials, harm reduction, communication with the intersectoral network, assistance, health guidance, opportunities for action, administration, management and personal and professional transformation (instruments); comprehensive and equitable care, building bonds and trust (purposes and products). Nursing, in this process and within a biomedical logic in the service, faces overload, pressure and devaluation. Conclusions Nursing is configured as a strategic category in the performance of the Street Clinic and in the equity of care. There are facilities and difficulties to act independently with the multiprofissional team, especially with the biomedical model present in the service. It is necessary to build recognition of the performance of nursing and the empowerment of professionals in this category. Key messages Nursing still needs professional empowerment and recognition of the importance of their work process as essential in addressing vulnerabilities and equity in care. Bonding, trust and harm reduction are essential elements in the nursing work process in addressing the vulnerability of the Homeless Persons.