Between suffering and health: considerations about the Community Health Agent’s work

Abstract

In the Unified Health System, Community Health Agents (CHA) are in constant contact with the territory in which they operate, due to their role and role as residents, resulting in ambiguous consequences in the establishment of their actions. Thus, the present study seeks to investigate the relationship between the role of the CHA and the specific aspects related to his work suffering. This is a qualitative study in the form of participatory research, through a semi-structured interview with 6 CHA, who were also monitored in their daily activities. The content analysis of the data obtained by field diary and interview enabled the identification of 3 categories: Role of the CHA; Relationship with the Team, and Health and Suffering from the CHA. The CHA's suffering stems from surveillance over their work, difficulties in interpersonal relationships with the team, adversities in the territory and work overload. It is identified that they are professionals often underestimated and misunderstood.