RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To identify perceptions of primary care health professionals regarding the conceptual aspects of child development and propose strategies to address difficulties. METHODS: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted in a small municipality in the countryside of the State of São Paulo, Brazil. The primary health care in this region is comprised of Family Health Units and Basic Health Units. The sample included 52 participants, consisting of doctors and primary care nurses. A questionnaire with open and closed questions was utilized, covering knowledge and practices related to child development. For this study, the first question of the questionnaire, which asked for a descriptive response about participants' understanding of child development, was employed. The responses were transcribed, and content analysis using the thematic approach was conducted. RESULTS: Among the participants, 54% were nurses, and the average duration of working with the pediatric population was ten years. 80% reported never having undergone training in child development. The analysis of the responses revealed heterogeneity in the professionals' understanding of the conceptual dimension of child development. Additionally, there was an insufficient grasp of the theoretical and practical aspects and a scarcity of resources to support comprehensive care for children. A predominant biomedical model focusing on disease and biological aspects of child health was evident in defining the understanding of the subject. CONCLUSIONS: The findings underscore the necessity of implementing health education initiatives and service projects in primary care settings. It is crucial to strengthen a comprehensive perspective of child health within the biopsychosocial model of the health-disease process.
Asunto(s)
Actitud del Personal de Salud , Desarrollo Infantil , Atención Primaria de Salud , Humanos , Masculino , Femenino , Niño , Adulto , Brasil , Persona de Mediana Edad , Médicos de Atención Primaria/psicología , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Enfermeras y Enfermeros/psicologíaRESUMEN
ABSTRACT Objective: To identify perceptions of primary care health professionals regarding the conceptual aspects of child development and propose strategies to address difficulties. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted in a small municipality in the countryside of the State of São Paulo, Brazil. The primary health care in this region is comprised of Family Health Units and Basic Health Units. The sample included 52 participants, consisting of doctors and primary care nurses. A questionnaire with open and closed questions was utilized, covering knowledge and practices related to child development. For this study, the first question of the questionnaire, which asked for a descriptive response about participants' understanding of child development, was employed. The responses were transcribed, and content analysis using the thematic approach was conducted. Results: Among the participants, 54% were nurses, and the average duration of working with the pediatric population was ten years. 80% reported never having undergone training in child development. The analysis of the responses revealed heterogeneity in the professionals' understanding of the conceptual dimension of child development. Additionally, there was an insufficient grasp of the theoretical and practical aspects and a scarcity of resources to support comprehensive care for children. A predominant biomedical model focusing on disease and biological aspects of child health was evident in defining the understanding of the subject. Conclusions: The findings underscore the necessity of implementing health education initiatives and service projects in primary care settings. It is crucial to strengthen a comprehensive perspective of child health within the biopsychosocial model of the health-disease process.
RESUMO Objetivo: Identificar percepções de profissionais de saúde da atenção primária acerca dos aspectos conceituais do desenvolvimento infantil e propor estratégias de enfrentamento das dificuldades. Métodos: Estudo descritivo-analítico conduzido em um município de pequeno porte no interior do estado de São Paulo, Brasil, cuja atenção primária é composta das Unidades de Saúde da Família e Unidades Básicas de Saúde. A amostra foi constituída por 52 participantes, entre médicos e enfermeiros da atenção primária. Utilizou-se um questionário com perguntas abertas e fechadas, abordando conhecimentos e práticas sobre desenvolvimento infantil. Para este estudo, foi utilizada a primeira pergunta do questionário, de natureza dissertativa, que abordou como os participantes compreendiam o desenvolvimento infantil. As respostas foram transcritas e foi utilizada a técnica de análise de conteúdo na modalidade temática. Resultados: Dos participantes, 54% eram enfermeiros, e a média de tempo de trabalho com a faixa pediátrica foi de dez anos. Referiram nunca ter realizado curso de formação em desenvolvimento infantil 80%. Quanto à análise das respostas, observou-se heterogeneidade no que se refere à dimensão conceitual do tema por parte dos profissionais, além de uma apreensão teórico-prática insuficiente e escassez de recursos que fortaleçam um atendimento integral à criança. Prevalece um modelo biomédico centrado na doença e aspectos biológicos da saúde infantil quando definem a compreensão sobre o tema. Conclusões: Os dados apontam para a necessidade de implementação de projetos de educação em saúde e em serviço na atenção primária. Faz-se premente o fortalecimento de um olhar integral à saúde da criança sob o modelo biopsicossocial do processo saúde-doença.