THE WORK IN THE FAMILY HEALTH STRATEGY AND THE PERSISTENCE OF CURATIVE PRACTICES

Abstract The research had the goal of analyzing the perception regarding the work on the Family Health Strategy. We conducted a case study in the city of João Pessoa, in the state of Paraíba, Brazil, in 2014, with a questionnaire applied to a sample of workers with higher education (n = 342), interviews with managers (n = 6), professionals (n = 12), and a simple in loco observation. The data were treated by means of an analysis of the content and by descriptive statistics. The most evident qualitative goal of the work performed by the Family Health Strategy was improving the health conditions of the users. It was put into effect though the prevention, promotion, education and treatment of diseases, incorporating the expanded concept of health and autonomy of the population. However, according to the quantitative data, little time was devoted to these activities when compared to the time devoted to the spontaneous demands, generating a significant number of individual consultations. Activities regarding education, prevention, promotion and group approaches must be stimulated and incorporated into the everyday activities of the Family Health Strategy in a manner that intersects all of the actions, in which the expanded medical practice is a powerful tool. More involvement on the part of the professionals in these activities will enhance the quality of the assistance though interprofessionality, and will help break free from curative practices.