Abstract:
The idea that what psychologists do is clinical, based on the biomedical model, is still very much rooted in their own and other professionals’ discourse. They seem to understand that this action is the main, if not the only, way for psychology to contribute to the users of the health system (SUS) and to the community. However, there are professionals who seek to act according to the principles of SUS, relying on critical approaches to psychology. These professionals approach the communities and present a differentiated practice in relation to the traditional one. Therefore, the objective of this research is to know the practices of some psychologists inserted in Primary Health Care, seeking to identify the bases that underlie them and if they are in consonance with Critical Social Psychology. This research has a qualitative character, using participatory research as a method, together with the conduction of open-ended questions interviews. Three psychologists who work in Health Centers of Campinas participated in the study. In the research results, it can be observed that the professionals’ ethical and political views as well as the fact of their training being shaped to perform at SUS, are fundamental to have a critical and contextualized performance. There are also considerations about the practices of these professionals, such as the work performed beyond the walls of the Health Centers and it also brings the relations established with the concepts of Critical Social Psychology. Thus, it is considered the importance of the reflection by psychologists on their own practices, as well as the search for innovative practices that can be included in public health policies.
Keywords:
Critical Social Psychology; SUS; Primary Health Care; Participatory research