Medicines in the work routine of community healthcare workers from Santa Cecília basic healthcare unit in Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil

Abstract

Since the establishment of Brazil's National Health System (SUS), focus has been given to basic and family healthcare. One of the programs in progress has been the Family Health Project, performed by teams of professionals including Community Health Workers. Among the various problems faced by the family healthcare teams is the irrational use of medicines. This paper aims to examine the role of medicines in the workers' routine, establishing how they perceive the pharmacy service in a Basic Healthcare Unit, and identifying information needs about medicines, all these with the purpose of training design. To do so, a session using the nominal group technique was held, in which eight out of eleven healthcare workers participated, answering 4 questions. Medicines were considered important, and preventive actions were highly valued. Their perception regarding the pharmacy service was positive as well. Workers report population's questions on medicines as being frequent, and this reflects gaps in the medical visit and in obtaining the medicines. The healthcare agent is seen by the population as the professional who can help them use the medicines and thus, he/she may have an essential role in promoting their rational use.