Psychologist's performance (im)possibilities in primary care: demands and attributions based on family health doctors and nurses perception

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze Family Health (FH) doctors' and nurses' perceptions about what they consider psychologist demands and attributions in Primary Health Care (PHC) and how they request their work. Sixteen professionals from three Unidades Básicas de Saúde (UBS) selected from a city in Curitiba's metropolitan region not supported by the Núcleo Ampliado de Saúde da Família e Atenção Básica (NASF-AB) but with the support of a psychology professional participated. This scenario was chosen to investigate the insertion of the psychologist in other rearrangements in public health. This is a qualitative study with a semi-structured interview as the data collection instrument, and three categories were created through content analysis. The results pointed out difficulties in the psychological demand analysis, possibilities and obstacles in the psychologist's assignment, referrals without team communication, and a lack of knowledge in psychological practice.