Atuação do assistente social na atenção primária à saúde: desafios e possibilidades

Abstract

This research aims to address the work of social workers in Primary Health Care (PHC) in Juiz de Fora, identifying its challenges and possibilities. Thus, a bibliographical research was carried out, analyzing the academic productions of the Postgraduate Program in Social Service (PPGSS) of the Faculdade de Serviço Social da Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora. The paper is structured in two chapters. The first presents a historical overview of Health Policy in Brazil, highlighting the main milestones of this trajectory, from the arrival of the Portuguese to the present day. The second chapter addresses the concepts of Primary Health Care and the Family Health Program, in addition to discussing the role of the social worker in the health area, with an emphasis on their role in Primary Care. Finally, from the analysis, it is concluded that the social worker's role in PHC, despite facing challenges, also finds possibilities that can be explored to strengthen the performance of this professional, through investment in the continued training of professionals, the valorization of work and integration with other areas of health, promoting dialogue between different sectors of the care network and promoting policies that expand resources and institutional support.