Núcleo de apoio à saúde da família: inserção da fonoaudiologia no estado do Rio Grande do Sul

Abstract

Objective: to analyze speech and language practices in Family Health Support Centers of the State of Rio Grande do Sul and to understand the determinants and theoretical foundations that guide them. Materials and Methods: Descriptive and exploratory qualitative and quantitative study. Participating in this study were 18 speech-language pathologists working in the Family Health Support Centers (NASF) of the State of Rio Grande do Sul. Data collection took place between December 2016 and March 2017 through an electronic and self-administered questionnaire composed of open and closed questions organized in six categories: Sociodemographic identification, professional training, previous professional experience, current professional experience, Characterization of training for the public health system and characterization of work in NASF. The collected data were treated and analyzed quantitatively by means of Descriptive Statistics procedures presented in average, standard deviation, absolute and percentage numbers and qualitatively according to the precepts of the categorical analysis by operations of dismemberment of the text in units or categories, according to analog regroupings. Results: 18 professionals participated, women predominated, mean age was 37,78 years. 12 (66,7%) speech therapists come from the same Public University; 10 (55,6%) completed their graduation after the year 2002. The average duration of speech therapists was 3,13 years; Most of them experienced theoretical and practical disciplines focused on SUS, but few mentioned their influence in their current practice. 14 (77,7%) did some type of graduate studies. The main motivations for NASF work were personal inclinations, identification with ideology, interest in the new field of knowledge and practice (work organization). The speech therapists' activities consist of interventions in the FHT teams and in the employed population based on the matrix support and other tools recommended by the Ministry of Health (MS). The greater demand for speech therapy refers to children with language impairments (oral and written) - such demands are addressed through groups - and bedridden elders. Conclusion: It is possible to say, through the texts / statements of the speech therapists, that the training was insufficient to subsidize NASF performance, but despite the difficulties, most of the speech therapists in this study perform their practices in accordance with the NASF principles indicated in MS guiding documents.