Reference Center Evaluation of Health Worker Cearense by Users and Trade Union Representative

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the Ceará State Occupational Health Reference Center (CEREST) based on the beliefs of union representatives and users. For this purpose a qualitative descriptive-exploratory applied field research was conducted. Participants included three representatives of trade unions and five users who answered a semi-structured interview. The information was submitted to Bardin content analysis and analysis of textual data with support of the software Interface de R pour les Analyses Multidimensionnelles de Textes et de Questionnaires (IRAMUTEQ). The results showed barriers in the management and lack of clarity of CEREST’s functions as well as lack of professionals. We conclude that there is a gap between prescribed and real work due to political obstacles and management problems that end up distancing CEREST’s actions from its goal of prevention and promotion of workers’ health.