[Community health worker: a core element of health actions]. / Agente Comunitário de Saúde: elemento nuclear das ações em saúde.

This research sought to identify the actions developed by the Community Health Worker (CHW) in the context of family health in Montes Claros, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The research was conducted under the Program of Education through Work for Health-PET-SAÚDE, and is a quantitative study and census together with 241 CHWs. Most of them make family registrations and home visits, identify families with health risks and inform the health team. They also instruct families about available health services, arrange referrals and schedule consultations/exams, perform health education and teamwork reflections. Some also assist in the clinical environment. The majority who provide health education and those who are responsible for the referrals feel that they are professionally qualified for such tasks. CHWs are a core element of health actions, but the scope of performance requires investment in professional training to maintain the quality of the work executed by them in surveillance activities and teamwork reflection. In this way, the CHW can be jointly responsible for primary care and integrate the system of health care administration.

Agente Comunitário de Saúde: elemento nuclear das ações em saúde / Community health worker: a core element of health actions

O trabalho objetivou identificar as ações desenvolvidas pelo Agente Comunitário de Saúde (ACS) vinculado à Saúde da Família de Montes Claros, MG, Brasil. A pesquisa foi conduzida no âmbito do Programa de Educação pelo Trabalho para a Saúde-PET-Saúde, 2010-2012. Estudo quantitativo e censitário com 241 Agentes. A maioria realiza o cadastro e visita familiar, identifica as famílias de risco e informa à equipe, orienta quanto ao uso dos serviços de saúde, encaminha e agenda consultas/exames, realiza educação em saúde e participa de reflexão do trabalho em equipe. Uma parcela auxilia no ambiente clínico. Ao associar as atividades com a condição de ter capacitado para a função, somente o encaminhamento para a consulta e a educação em saúde foram associados à qualificação profissional. A maioria dos que realizam a educação em saúde e fazem encaminhamentos se sente preparada para a função. O ACS é o elemento nuclear das ações em saúde, mas as dimensões de atuação exigem investimentos na instumentalização adequada do profissional e na manutenção da qualidade do processo de trabalho executado por ele, em atividades de supervisão e de reflexão em equipe. Assim, o ACS poderá assumir a corresponsabilidade com a Atenção básica, integrado ao sistema de administração de saúde.

This research sought to identify the actions developed by the Community Health Worker (CHW) in the context of family health in Montes Claros, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The research was conducted under the Program of Education through Work for Health-PET-SAÚDE, and is a quantitative study and census together with 241 CHWs. Most of them make family registrations and home visits, identify families with health risks and inform the health team. They also instruct families about available health services, arrange referrals and schedule consultations/exams, perform health education and teamwork reflections. Some also assist in the clinical environment. The majority who provide health education and those who are responsible for the referrals feel that they are professionally qualified for such tasks. CHWs are a core element of health actions, but the scope of performance requires investment in professional training to maintain the quality of the work executed by them in surveillance activities and teamwork reflection. In this way, the CHW can be jointly responsible for primary care and integrate the system of health care administration.