Family Health Program professionals' view on family structures and health implications.
OBJECTIVE
To describe perception of family structures and understanding of a healthy family by Programa Saúde da Família (Family Health Program) team members.


METHODS
Research with a qualitative approach, employing the focus group technique, and involving the Program professionals from the city of Campo Bom, Southern Brazil, between June and August 2005. Sample was comprised of 12 professionals, including doctors, nurses, nursing technicians and community health agents. The following issues were investigated: the meaning of family; the meaning of the role of family; type of family most frequently cared for by professionals; the meaning of a healthy family; and types of family causing more difficulties of care. The methodological instrument used was content analysis.


RESULTS
Two main categories were observed: family structures, where a great diversity of arrangements was found; and healthy family, where the predominance of speech is consistent with a multifaceted view on health, involving political, social, economic and cultural aspects. Professionals identify and respect distinct family structures and adapt medical treatment accordingly.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings reveal that professionals are willing to deal with the different family structures present in their routine.
Gabardo
Roseclér Machado
RM
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioética, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brasil. rose.gabardo@terra.com.br
Junges
José Roque
JR
Selli
Lucilda
L
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001938:Brazil; D005190:Family; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D015438:Health Behavior; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009313:National Health Programs; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011287:Prejudice; D011368:Professional-Family Relations