WORK IN PRIMARY CARE DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: PERCEPTIONS OF HEALTH PROFESSIONALS ABOUT THE PERFORMANCE OF MUNICIPAL MANAGEMENT

This paper investigates the perception of health professionals about the performance of municipal management during the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective of the study is to analyze the perception of Primary Health Care professionals about the work process and the performance of municipal health management during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is an exploratory, descriptive study with a qualitative approach. The study sample consists of health professionals working in the Family Health Strategy (ESF) of a municipality in Paraíba. Data collection took place from January to April 2022. As a result of this study, it was observed that, due to the health crisis scenario caused by COVID-19, the health work process was affected in several aspects, and communication in the multidisciplinary team was highlighted as relevant to the work process for the interviewees. Regarding the relationship between professionals and management, the results indicate that the position of managers influenced the functioning of health services, as well as the (unhealthy) working conditions of PHC professionals. The results of this study showed, from the perspective of PHC professionals, that there was negligence on the part of municipal management with regard to support, provision of PPE, training, emotional support and coordinated actions to adequately cope with the pandemic.