Professional practices in occupational health in Primary Care: challenges for the implementation of public policies

Abstract

The actions in Occupational Health developed by Primary Health Care teams in a medium-sized municipality were assessed in a cross-sectional analytical study. A questionnaire consisting of 35 questions, divided up into four sections and answered by 289 health professionals, was used. The results were analyzed according to the distribution of absolute and relative frequencies using the chi-square test with a significance level of 0.05. The results revealed that activities developed in the area, as well as the epidemiological profile of the working population living in the area of coverage, are acknowledged as being productive, however interventions based on this diagnosis were not identified. It was observed that, among the professionals, more frequently it is the physician who identifies the epidemiological profile of the workers, while the nurse takes the lead role in the surveillance of diseases and in the technical-pedagogical support for the development of actions in Occupational Health. Based on the findings, it was observed that teams find it difficult to incorporate actions in Occupational Health in the planning of daily activities in their praxis, suggesting the need for professional qualification and pedagogical and institutional technical support from the specialized units.