Author:

• Carla Guanaes-Lorenzi - Guanaes-Lorenzi, Carla - Universidade de São Paulo. FFCLRP-USP, Psicologia - <carlaguanaes@gmail.com>

Co-author(s):

• Ricardo Lana Pinheiro - Pinheiro, Ricardo Lana - Universidade de São Paulo. FFCLRP-USP, Psicologia - <ricardolanap@yahoo.com.br>

Thematic Area:

Ciências Sociais

Abstract:

This article discusses meanings produced by Community Health Agents (CHA) of a small town in São Paulo State (Brazil) about their appreciation/depreciation, considering their work with social networks in the Family Health Strategy. It was develop discussion groups with 28 CHA of 6 family health unities, which were audio recorded and transcribed. The qualitative analysis of the material allowed identifying in CHA´ discursive practices a tension concerning the de/appreciation of their work. Meanings of appreciation appeared when CHA highlight their proximity to the community and their potential for building connections; however, these meanings were tensioned by meanings of depreciation, usually referred to macrostructural features, such as low incomes and few recognition of their work comparing to professional with higher education. We conclude that a view still based on the fragmentation of work processes and on the expectancy of immediate solution of the community demands, can make it difficult to CHA to assimilate a broader conception of Primary Health Care, as the articulator of the Network of Health Attention and organizer of the Unified Health System.

Keywords:

Primary Health Care Family Health Strategy Community Health Workers Job Satisfaction

Content:

Access Issue in Scielo

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