Interdisciplinarity: identifying concepts and limits for its practice at a health service

Abstract

The excessive specialization of knowledge contributes to fragmented care delivery, which can be overcome through interdisciplinarity. This study aimed to identify how health professionals conceive interdisciplinarity and the limits they face in their practice. This qualitative study was developed at a health unit at the countryside of São Paulo, between March and July of 2007. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and subject to thematic analysis. The following categories emerged from the analysis: "interdisciplinarity concept", " valued skills”, "resources for the development of interdisciplinarity” and “outcomes of interdisciplinary work". The subjects’ discourse revealed that interdisciplinarity is a way to address a problem-situation through the integration and intersection among different kinds of knowledge, with a view to fill knowledge gaps. They report on the importance of developing interpersonal relationship and communication skills. They indicate the need to permanent training and consider the following as consequences of interdisciplinary work: integral, humane and more qualified care, valuation of the professionals and services rendered by the institution. It is concluded that these professionals have a favorable attitude towards interdisciplinarity, but need to experience spaces that integrate theory and practice, with a view to overcoming an increasingly fragmented and disciplinary education, which affects their attitudes.