Self-perception of the objective, object and work products of Physical Education Professionals belonging to the Academia da Saúde Program

Abstract

Work processes begin by establishing intervention objectives, followed by defining the object that professionals seek to transform and the availability and means of performing tasks and achieving the expected products. The aim of this study was to assess the perception of physical education professionals regarding the purpose of their activities, the object of their professional intervention and the products of their work in the Academia da Saúde (Health Academy) Program. To that end, we carried out a qualitative study with 18 professionals working in the Metropolitan Region of Recife, Pernambuco state, in northeastern Brazil. Content analysis of the interviews used the condensation of meaning technique. It was found that these workers identified health promotion as a goal of their actions, individuals and communities as objects of their intervention, and improvement of physical and functional performance, social interaction and biopsychosocial benefits as the main products of their work in the program. On the other hand, perception of health promotion focuses on changing behavior, and lack of coordination in program activities with Basic Health Care teams demonstrates a worrisome move away from proposals for intersectoral and organizational multidisciplinary work processes with a view to comprehensive care in the National Health System (SUS).

Qualitative analysis of the health promotion work in a Academia da Saúde programme's unit

“…Major goals of the HPEP's professional practices in the ASP involved health promotion, disease prevention, and the development of social, mental and physical dimensions of health. This finding connects to Guarda et al 12 study of the objectives of HPEP´ work in ASP (i.e. health promotion, quality of life, promotion of healthy behaviours, physical activity, leisure, social interaction We donate blood, we visit those who have problems (…) When someone is missing in the group because of illness, we get together and go to the person´s house.…”

“…A distinctive point about the ASP unit from Lajeado was related to the attendance of children and adolescents, provided that only 36% of ASP units in Brazil were able to attend both older and younger age groups 3 . In addition to the findings from previous research on work processes in the ASP 2,12 , the results of this study highlighted that the main means used to nurture health promotion was holistic care through the delivery of group activities. Holistic care has its philosophical basis on holism, which acknowledges the person as a whole human being and the interdependence among physical, physiological, psychological, social and spiritual aspects of one´s life 26 .…”

Users’ perception of actions, improvement in quality of life and satisfaction with the Academia da Cidade Program

“…The main cause of dissatisfaction among users interviewed refers to the lack of equipment and maintenance of program centers. This perception was also observed among professionals who work in the Academia da Saúde Program in five cities of Recife Metropolitan Area 15 . This lack and inadequacy of resources compromises planning, execution and quality of activities provided by the ACP, which could reflect in the continuity of some actions 8,16 and interfere with the motivation, adherence and joining of such program by these and other users.…”

“…Moreover, users' discourses pointed to the coexistence of satisfaction with the activities provided and the negative perception of the duration and contents of the actions developed in the centers. With regard to the dissatisfaction with such duration and contents, it should be emphasized that not directing activities towards user expectations can reduce adherence to program 21 , in addition to restricting the possibilities of potential users to join it and showing managers' lack of concern about the interests of the target population of such intervention 15 .…”

“…Participants perceived the program as a space that enables social interaction and, consequently, as something that has a positive impact on quality of life. The perception that social interaction is one of the benefits promoted by physical activity programs was identified by Guarda et al 15 in a study conducted with Physical Education professionals who work in community programs of health promotion. In another study, performed with users of the Academia da Cidade Program -Recife 4 , social interaction was found to be one of the reasons to participate in the program.…”