HEALTH TEAMS' ROLE IN DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: to understand the perceptions of Primary Health Care and Psychosocial Care professionals regarding their role in addressing the psychosocial impacts following hydrological natural disasters in southern Brazil. Method: a multiple-case, descriptive and integrated study with a qualitative approach. The participants were professionals and managers from Primary Health Care and Psychosocial Care in municipalities from southern Brazil. Data collection was carried out during the conduction of a funded project, including narrative interviews between January and May 2018. Data analysis followed the stages of Fritz Schütze's method. Results: interpretation of the narratives of the cases and their units of analysis comprised the following categories: 1) Health teams' performance in disasters; and 2) Cultural meanings and training for risk and disaster reduction. Demands for pre-flooding care, demands during the disaster event, and post-flooding demands: care in psychosocial support and territory surveillance were identified. Conclusion: the study identified actions perceived by health team professionals and municipal managers regarding disasters in a context of recurrent events. While recognizing cultural aspects for a resilient response, there are operational and training gaps for an effective management of the response and recovery plan at the community level.