Work process in the Family Health Strategy oriented to people with overweight and obesity in São Paulo

Abstract

The goal of the article is to analyze the characteristics of the work processes in the Family Health Strategy directed to people with overweight and obesity in the city of São Paulo. Based on the theoretical framework of collective health about work processes, an exploratory study with a qualitative approach was developed. Eleven interviews were conducted with professionals from a basic health unit in the east of the city of São Paulo between July and August, 2019. Starting with the thematic analysis, the article presents the results and discussion in three analytical categories: work object, work instruments and work organization. The care for people with overweight and obesity is mediated by the low investment in training health professionals on the subject, the lack of technical materials to support the work and the management model based on productivity and demand for quantitative results. It is concluded that health professionals have little control over their work process, whose purpose ends up being the change of behavior and loss of body weight instead of considering the health needs of users and professionals, sometimes producing dissatisfaction and weariness with work.