O enfermeiro gestor da Atenção Primária à Saúde: uma análise à luz da teoria da complexidade

Abstract

The role of nurses in the management of health services has been pointed out in the literature as a frequent practice in Brazil. Based on the theoretical assumptions of Edgar Morin, this study analyzed the practice of nurses who work in primary care management in the state of Alagoas. This is a qualitative study with an exploratory-descriptive approach. Data collection was carried out from April to November 2022. 20 nurses who work as PHC managers in the 10 Health Regions of the state of Alagoas participated in the research. For the production of information, an interview with a semi-structured script was carried out. For analysis and interpretation of the findings, the Content Analysis (CA) method was used, as proposed by Minayo. From the analysis of the results, 03 categories of analysis emerged: The know-how of the PHC nurse manager: knowledge in action, which discusses how nurses act based on the knowledge inherent to their practice, addressing the issues involved with their knowledge , skills and attitudes, and as aspects of their training; The challenges of being a manager: each challenge is part of the whole, this category explores the challenges of acting in the complexity that is PHC management, on planning, working conditions, function deviation, political issues and those that relate to the mental health of these managers; and PHC Manager: I'm a nurse, but I'm a coordinator! This third category deals with the transience of the position, the outstanding participation of nursing in organizational processes, and the commitment of nurses to act with the objective of ensuring a quality and effective management model in the SUS. Based on the analysis of the categories presented, it is concluded that there is a notable female involvement in health management. That PHC managers in the State of Alagoas understand the importance of their function for the implementation of health policies in their municipality and that despite the graduation of nursing professionals contemplating management disciplines, this study points to the need for permanent education of these professionals, in order to qualify knowledge. The findings also show that the experience of PHC manager nurses in the State of Alagoas is permeated with challenges of vast etiologies and that these challenges have an impact on the mental health of these professionals. To the detriment of this, the managers commitment and contentment in the performance of their functions.