Abstract
This article discusses the role of psychologists in public health, from the perspective of other professionals working in Basic Health Units (BHU). The aim was to investigate the vision of these professionals about the role of the psychologist and about the importance of their work. Data of this qualitative study was a result of interactions between researcher and participants. Semi structured interviews were carried out based on a script, with 14 subjects from different professional categories who were randomly chosen from a universe of 54 persons that had responded to a previous questionnaire. The results show the psychologist is considered as an important and necessary professional to Health Basic Units. However, an ambiguous identity attributed to psychologists was revealed, due to the different demands they have to face, regarding both mental health and primary healthcare. In this context, it is expected that psychologists perform the role of moderators.
Acting of the Psychologist; Health Services; Mental Health; Primary Health Care