Models of care for individuals with obesity in primary healthcare in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Abstract

Brazil has developed policies for the prevention and control of obesity through the Brazilian Unified National Health System. This study analyzed the characteristics of proposed "models of care" reported by health professionals in primary care in the state of Rio de Janeiro. The methods included interviews and focus groups with professionals and managers in primary care and the thematic areas of food and nutrition in the 92 municipalities (counties) of Rio de Janeiro state and document analysis of federal and state legislation and guidelines. The analysis was oriented by the organizational and technical dimensions of care and the principles of comprehensive healthcare. The main challenges reported by health professionals pertained to adherence to the therapeutic process and feelings of frustration and powerlessness; multidisciplinary teamwork; and unpreparedness for dealing with the complexity of the health-disease process related to obesity. Some principles and guidelines based on the government policy documents are strategic for addressing these challenges, especially: shared responsibility between health professionals and users, which can help avoid the extremes of blaming and/or victimization; appreciation of other gains besides weight loss, which can redefine treatment adherence; and multidisciplinary teamwork to develop a contextualized understanding of the health-disease process and its multiple conditioning factors and for the health professionals to be able to cope with their own feelings and stigmas towards the person with obesity.