The nurse and the family health strategy: challenges in managing the multiprofessional team - doi: 10.4025/cienccuidsaude.v11i2.10445

Abstract

This study aimed at understanding the role played by nurses in managing a team in the Family Health Strategy (ESF) in relation to competences and skills practiced and developed in their everyday work and the difficulties found to perform their duties based on these professionals’ perceptions. Data were collected by means of focus groups with seven nurses in 2006 and then submitted to content analysis, which disclosed five themes: The context of the coordination of multidisciplinary teams in the Family Health Strategy, factors involved in the daily work in the ESF, conflicts experienced in the interface between teamwork and central coordination in the ESF, difficulties of the population towards the new model of care coordinated by the nurse, the perceived competence to exercise leadership in coordinating multidisciplinary teams. Results showed work overload, overlapping of tasks and lack of training. These professionals have been evaluated according to the logic of their work organization by productivity and not by the quality of their actions. Hence, they feel devalued professionally. They pointed out technical and scientific knowledge as an important competence attached to relational practices. There is a need to create formal opportunities to discuss the major difficulties found by the nurses managing multiprofessional teams when experiencing such management.