Profile and professional practices of health psychologists of the federal district

Abstract

The study aimed to describe the profile of psychologists from public and private health services of the Federal District, Brazil; to describe the professional practices, the theoretical-methodological frameworks adopted, expectations and perceptions of health work, as well as aspects that facilitate and hinder team integration. The instrument was a self-administered online questionnaire. The data analysis included descriptive and inferential statistical techniques and content analysis of the qualitative data. The participants were 96 psychologists (91.6% women). The ages ranged from 24 to 54 years (M=35.5) and the majority (88.4%) were working in public health services. Individual psychological consultations and guidance for relatives/caregivers were the practices highlighted as being frequent in the professional quotidian. Diversified psychological practices were observed among the participants who were researchers, had graduate degrees and supervised undergraduate students and/or residents. Regarding aspects that facilitated team integration, the most frequent categories were: activities or care in multi/interdisciplinary team and regular team meetings. Regarding hindering aspects, work overload and personal and interpersonal characteristics of the professionals prevailed. The study highlights the strengthening of health psychology in the Federal District, especially in the services of the Brazilian National Health System, being incipient in private establishments.