Saúde do Trabalhador do Sistema Único de Saúde durante e depois da pandemia da Covid-19: a perspectiva de núcleos gestores

Abstract

The reality of work highlights a recent transformation through rapid modernization in the world of work. The pandemic context due to Covid-19, caused by the New Coronavirus (Sars-Cov-2), enhances these changes, directly affecting health work processes, and, consequently, worker health. This research has the general objective of "Analyzing Workers' Health in the Unified Health System during and after the Covid-19 pandemic from the perspective of Workers' Health management centers at the municipal and state level of Rio Grande do Norte." To this end, an observational and descriptive study was developed, with a qualitative approach, in the case study type. The study was carried out at the Municipal Health Department of Natal and the State Department of Public Health of Rio Grande do Norte, both located in the city of Natal, capital of the State of Rio Grande do Norte, northeast of Brazil, with participants as subjects: professionals who make up the management centers in the field of worker health in both departments. The instrument used for data collection was an individual semi-structured interview and the data obtained were analyzed using the Content Analysis technique. The narratives were categorized into six core meanings, which dealt with: 1. The potential emerging by and during the Covid-19 pandemic; 2. The strategies used in the area of Occupational Health during the Covid-19 health crisis; 3. The challenges experienced in the face of the global Covid-19 crisis; 4. Post-pandemic and its consequences, considering the perspective of remote work; 5. The main needs identified for the area of Occupational Health in Rio Grande do Norte; 6. The worker’s health policy(s). The analysis of the speeches highlighted the use of PPE and its relationship with the Permanent Education processes, as a potential and the projects supported by the worker's self-care, as an important strategy. Lack of knowledge regarding Covid-19 was highlighted as a major challenge and the organization and management of teleworking was highlighted as a highlight when referring to post-pandemic developments. An emerging need highlighted in the area of Occupational Health in RN is the strengthening of mental health at work. Regarding the Workers' Health Policy, it is highlighted that it is seen as a relevant initiative to guarantee the health of workers, however, there is a perception that the policy is not yet fully implemented in practice, mainly due to bureaucratic and budgetary obstacles. It is noteworthy that the study was carried out with institutions at the municipal and state levels and presents convergent results. It is expected that the results of this study will promote expanded knowledge regarding the field of Occupational Health, especially in the post-pandemic context.