Gestão do trabalho na Estratégia Saúde da Família em municípios do Estado do Rio de Janeiro com mais de 500 mil habitantes: o caso do Rio de Janeiro e Duque de Caxias

Abstract

Despite the increase in the number of Family Health teams in Brazil there is disparity in the implementation of the Family Health Strategy (FHS) in big cities. Other difficulties encountered relate to human resources for health (HRH). In this respect, this study aimed to analyze the current scenario of labor management in the FHS in the municipalities of Rio de Janeiro and Duque de Caxias. Methodology: An exploratory study, of narrative research, documentary and bibliographical, qualitative approach. Data collection occurred in two phases: research of bibliographic material on the bases: LILACS, PAHO and WHOLIS, and of notices of selection processes and public tenders of the 2000s, with a view to recruiting health professionals for the FHS and, semi-structured interviews with managers of FHS. The collection period occurred between August 2010 and December 2011. The documents were analyzed according to descriptive statistics and the interviews were submitted to content analysis. Results: Shortage of literature on the FHS in the cities of Duque de Caxias and Rio de Janeiro. Hiring in Rio de Janeiro followed two moments: City Hall and Social Organizations (OS) as contractors. In Duque de Caxias hiring was exclusivity of the City Hall. In Rio de Janeiro professional salaries ranged from R$ 728.59 (Community Health Workers - ACS) and R$ 7,773.69 (doctors), contrasting with the wage equality adopted in Duque de Caxias, with earnings around R$ 700.00 for the ACS, R$ 800.00 for the technical level and, approximately R$ 5,000.00 to the professionals with a university degree. Managers suggest that the higher turnover among doctors is motivated by excessive working hours, poor working conditions and location of the unit in areas of social risk. The strategies for attraction and retention of professionals include: selection processes, ensuring labor rights and; salary allowances in the case of Rio de Janeiro; and flexibility of working hours, improvements in infrastructure and upskilling strategies, in Duque de Caxias. Interviews revealed the greatest difficulties in the management of the FHS: high turnover, medical training in disagreement with the SUS, and poor infrastructure. Add to this the low pay for doctors in Duque de Caxias, and distinct ties and salaries between professionals performing the same function in Rio de Janeiro. Conclusions: The expansion of the FHS in large urban centers finds related barriers to work management that weaken its consolidation. Rio de Janeiro shows itself more attractive for FHS professionals. The only difference in Duque de Caxias, especially for dentists and nurses, refers to the direct hiring by the City Hall with statutory-bound, though any salary increase is tied to all municipal employees. In Rio de Janeiro, contracting arrangements under the Consolidation of Labor Laws proves to be a protection, since, at the possibility of losing professionals, the OS raise their salaries. Among the recommendations for setting of professionals we include: salary incentives for performance in vulnerable regions, improvements in infrastructure and joint between Institutions of Higher Education and health network.