Abstract

SOUZA, Laura Vilela e  and  SANTOS, Manoel Antônio dos. Group process and psychologist work in primary health care. Rev. bras. crescimento desenvolv. hum. [online]. 2012, vol.22, n.3, pp. 388-395. ISSN 0104-1282.

This article aims to discuss the role of psychologists in primary health care from the proposition of group processes alternatively to individualist practices. Those practices keep traditions of hierarchy and user-professional models of normalization and medicalization. Inspired by social constructionist epistemology, group process is discussed as an alternative to individualist practices that maintain traditions of hierarchy between user-professional and to models of normalization and medicalization. Inspired by the social constructionist perspective, we discuss some of the assumptions that inspire this proposal of group process, such as: (1) group process as an alternative to the notion of group as self-contained, (2) user-professional collaborative relationships with the constant negotiation about the type of care offered and (3) self-reflexivity to understand its potential and limits. We believe that this form of assistance can inspire other group practices that can implement the principles of the Brazilian Unified Health System and the ideal of professional training in psychology recommended for working with public health policies.

Keywords : group practice; primary health care; psychology.

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