A atuação do fisioterapeuta na atenção primária à saúde em indivíduos com histórico de acidente vascular encefálico no município de Lagarto/Sergipe

Abstract

Introduction: Primary health care (PHC) is the main gateway for users to the unified health system. It is through it that patients with a history of stroke have access to health services. Objective: To analyze the role of the physical therapist in Primary Health Care and in the Melhor em Casa Program in individuals with a history of stroke in the city of Lagarto/Sergipe, as well as to identify the knowledge of the health team professionals in relation to the role of the physical therapist in APS. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study, from a quantitative approach. The study universe was composed of health professionals linked to PHC in the city of Lagarto, distributed in the places where the physical therapist works (Núcleo de Apoio a Saúde da Família - NASF-AB and the Melhor em Casa Program) and other health professionals. linked to the Basic Family Health Unit. Two questionnaires were applied, one for the physiotherapists of the NASF and the Melhor em Casa Program and the other for the other health professionals who work in PHC. Results: The sample consisted of four physical therapists, two from the NASF-AB and two from the Melhor em Casa Program and 117 other health professionals - 47 community health agents, 1 oral health assistant, 25 nurses, 15 doctors, 2 dentists , 17 nursing technicians and 8 other professionals who make up the teams. The greatest demand of users assisted by physical therapists are elderly and the predominant health condition is stroke. The other health professionals attribute rehabilitation as a priority activity of the physical therapist in PHC. Conclusions: The performance profile of physical therapists at this level of care is still limited, which can be explained by the high demand of patients and few professionals working. This scenario compromises the quality of physical therapy care and in many cases even lack of care. As for the view of other health professionals in relation to the physical therapist's priority activities in PHC, a view that is limited to rehabilitation, it can be changed by the presence of the physical therapist in the family health strategy teams.