Organization of healthcare and assistance to the elderly indigenous population: synergies and particularities of the professional context

Abstract

RESUmOObjetivou-se descrever os reflexos da organização do serviço de atenção primária à saúde indígena para o cuidado ao idoso Kaingang na percepção de profissionais da saúde que atuam na área. Estudo qualitativo, descritivo, apoiado no referencial metodológico da etnografia, realizado com dez profissionais de saúde que trabalham na terra indígena Faxinal, Paraná, Brasil. Os dados foram coletados entre novembro de 2010 e fevereiro de 2012 por meio de observação participante e entrevistas. Os resultados revelaram que os profissionais de saúde esforçam-se para atender as necessidades de saúde dos idosos Kaingang; no entanto, existem reflexos negativos na assistência em saúde ao idoso que dificultam o cuidado profissional, principalmente a limitação de recursos humanos, a falta de capacitação e recursos materiais, a sobrecarga de trabalho e a rotatividade dos profissionais. Evidencia-se a necessidade da melhoria das condições de trabalho para a qualificação dos cuidados prestados.

Teamwork in a coronary care unit: facilitating and hindering aspects

“…Teamwork is considered to represent a collective working modality created through integration between technical interventions and the interactions among agents (5) . This research, based on identified studies (2,(5)(6) , considers the teamwork concept as a strategy and a tool for organizing healthcare work in the perspective of coordination and integration, with joint responsibility of different professionals, collectively building and implementing common goals, thus also allowing professionals to overcome obstacles in everyday work. Teamwork presupposes relationships that promote collaboration and communication that go beyond the personal level, with an aim at mutual assistance in developing work, based on dialogical and horizontal relationships.…”

Cultural singularities: indigenous elderly access to Public Health Service

“…Although arising from the inevitable aging process, the isolation of some ethnic groups, the rejection of the urban communities, and the low availability of services in the villages are the main barriers that contribute to the limited access of indigenous health services (5)(6)12) . (13) , located in the municipalities of Cândido de Abreu and Ivaiporã -Paraná.…”

“…The SESA vehicle is understood by the point of view of the health professional as a tool that facilitates assistance to indigenous elderly (13) . The identified strategy allows for its reproduction in other IT units, in order to assist the nurses and all health care staff in caring for the indigenous elderly.…”

“…Despite the nurses' working over hours and other factors that interfere with the care of the elderly as previously identified (13) , on the occasions when the elderly demand health service, it should be valued and interpreted as an opportunity to promote health and strengthen the connection to the indigenous community. The nurse can work in partnership with the AIS by way of regular monitoring of the elderly through home visits and an active search for those missing who are undergoing treatment.…”

“…However, the success in offering services that respect and are linked to traditional practices largely depends on the commitment and efforts to empower all members of EMSI, including AIS, for special attention (17) . Although health professionals recognize the importance of a comprehensive and differentiated assistance to the Kaingang elderly, mishaps in the service organization limit individualized and curative care (13) . Often, health professionals don't have information to understand how culture influences the perception of the indigenous in seeking professional assistance (6) , even though respecting the cultural aspects of indigenous peoples is provided in PNASPI (1) .…”