The role of physical therapists in the context of family health support centers

Cássia Cristina Braghini,Fátima Ferretti,Lucimare Ferraz

doi:10.1590/1980-5918.030.004.ao05

Cássia Cristina Braghini, Fátima Ferretti + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-5918.030.004.ao05

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Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Since 2008, with the establishment of Family Health Support Centers (NASF), physiotherapists have been listed among professionals to be included in the team. Physical therapists have many assignments in the NASF, which are conducted through group sessions, in the households, with complementary and integrative practices, lectures and referrals to reference services. Objective: To analyze role and obstacles to the realization of the work of the physiotherapists in NASF. Methods: This is a qualitative research, guided by the case study method. The population was composed by eight physiotherapists active in NASF. Participant observation and semi-structured interviews with physiotherapists were used for data collection. Results: The actions performed by physiotherapists consist of group assistance, home visits, ear therapy and oxygen therapy and activities of health education and disease prevention. As for the barriers, these included lack of training to work at NASF; structural and organizational impediments; insufficient workload and fragility of professional training to work with public health. Conclusion: The role of physiotherapists is in line, in part, with the guidelines recommended by NASF, but principles as matrix support and collective pacts need to be strengthened.

Highlights

Since 2008, with the establishment of Family Health Support Centers (NASF), physiotherapists have been listed among professionals to be included in the team
With the creation of the Unified Health System (SUS) and the organizational redefinition of assistance through the Family Health Strategy (FHS) in 1997, Physical therapy went on to discuss and expand is field with a view to contribute to the realization and consolidation of primary care
The results of this study indicate that the performance of physiotherapists in the studied Núcleos de Apoio a Saúde da Família (NASF) takes place through collective and individual actions, meeting the demands and need for rehabilitation of the population

Summary

Introduction

Since 2008, with the establishment of Family Health Support Centers (NASF), physiotherapists have been listed among professionals to be included in the team. Part of some family health teams, it was only in 2008 with the establishment of Family Health Support Centers (NASF) that physiotherapists were included in multidisciplinary teams. NASF guidelines mention the specific role of physiotherapists only concerning the preparation for humanized childbirth. They list assignments that are common to all professionals in the center, such as identification based on the diagnosis of the territory where activities are to be developed; reception of users and humanization of care; intersectoriality; health promotion; social participation; among others [1]

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