QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE WORK PROCESS OF STREET CONSULTING TEAMS IN GOIÁS: STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES

Abstract

Introduction: The existence of homeless people highlights the government's inability to address complex situations involving both the individual and the society in which they find themselves. To address this healthcare gap, the Brazilian State established the National Policy for the Homeless Population in 2009 and implemented the creation of street outreach teams (eCR) in 2011. Objective: To analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the work process of street clinic teams (eCR) in the State of Goiás, Brazil. Method: This is a qualitative research on the eCR health work process in Goiás from a historical-dialectical materialism perspective through individual and group interviews with workers and managers of this strategy. Results: The following thematic categories emerged from the empirical data: Work of office teams on the street; Instrumental for the work of street clinic teams; and The object of the work of street clinic teams: precarious lives and complex demands. Conclusion: The research identified the work of Street Clinic teams and their coordination with other sectors, the material and non-material means of work/instruments, and the teams knowledge of the profile and needs of the homeless population. The study found a significant precariousness in the teams work and tools, which somewhat hindered the development of specific actions and the achievement of resolution. The research also highlighted the potential of the teams and their commitment to the cause of homeless health.