The preparation of community therapists in Paraíba: the effect on the Family Health Strategy

Abstract

ABSTRACT

The Integrative Community Therapy – IGT – reached Primary Health Care by means of an agreement established between the Ministry of Health and Universidade Federal do Ceará, mediated by Movimento Integrado de Saúde Mental Comunitária/Ceará, also counting with the participation of Pólo Formador Movimento Integrado de Saúde Comunitária/Paraíba. The objective of this study was to characterize the professional competence profile of the therapists prepared in Paraíba, and reveal the contributions of their preparation. This documental, comprehensive and interpretative study was performed the data obtained from Pólo Paraíba. The data were subjected to quantitative and qualitative analyses under the light of pertinent literature. A total of 277 therapists were prepared, most of which were women (248), in addition to 99 Community Health Agents. The contributions were analyzed considering three aspects: personal, teamwork and community. It was verified there was an improvement in the workers’ self-esteem, an improvement of the relationship with the team, and their attachment with the community was strengthened. The IGT promoted change processes, and is an appropriate tool for community work in the Family Health Strategy.

Descriptors: Therapy; Human Resources Formation,;Family Health.