Surveillance of the territory in health in primary care: the contribution of the Community Health Worker in the continuity of care

ABSTRACT This study aimed to identify weaknesses in the work process of the Community Health Workers (CHW) and their perception of importance given by them to the actions in territorial surveillance for the work of the health team, together with a process of awareness and training of the CHW on the subject. For this purpose, a data cross-referencing of two information systems (electronic medical record and family register) was carried out and a questionnaire was applied to the CHW, with subsequent educational process with these actors on the theme, based on the fragilities identified. The results show that the CHW are aware of the importance of their work on the subject studied, but that the specific assignments of the category were not fulfilled in their fullness, an observation mainly done in the cross-referencing data. The sensitization process seems to have helped them to identify weaknesses in their work process. It is thus perceived that the territorial surveillance seems to be present in the discourse of the CHW, but the daily practice shows weaknesses in their work process and communication with the rest of the team, aggravated by the existence of disconnected information systems.