O trabalho do/a assistente social com as pessoas idosas na atenção básica de saúde na pandemia da Covid-19 em Manaus

Abstract

The Covid-19 pandemic affected life as a whole, including health professionals who worked on the front lines of the virus, including social workers. Basic health care has played a crucial role in combating the virus, through Covid-19 tests, application of vaccines and medical consultations and distribution of medicines to the population, in addition, elderly people considered at risk groups for developing severe forms of the disease , were the first to receive the initial doses of vaccines. Considering this, the problematization of the research in the face of the expressions of the social question that the pandemic accentuates, post-population demands on the State and the social worker active in this process of granting the viability of social rights, we sought to answer the following question: what were the challenges posed to Social Service professionals and their work with the elderly in primary health care during the Covid-19 pandemic in Manaus? With the general objective: to analyze the professional work of the Social Worker with the elderly in basic health care in the Covid-19 pandemic in Manaus. And for specific objectives: to characterize the work of the Social Worker in basic health care and specifically with the elderly in health care and promotion; identify the view of the elderly about the professional work of the social worker with them in basic health care; to point out the challenges and possible achievements achieved by Social Service professionals at work in primary health care and specifically with regard to working with the elderly during the Covid-19 pandemic. The methodology used was of a qualitative nature through the application of an interview script to social workers and a semi-structured form applied to elderly people. And data from secondary sources from the State and Municipal Health Departments of Manaus, IBGE and other sources relevant to the study. The sample consisted of three Basic Health Units (UBS's) located in the east (1), north (1) and south (1) zones, in each of which there were 8 elderly people, 4 women and 4 men and a social worker per UBS, totaling 3 professionals. Results: During the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic in Manaus, there were significant challenges faced by social workers in the health area that deserve attention, such as the lack of investments and resources for the protection and care of the professionals themselves, limited access to personal protection (PPE), work overload and lack of adequate training to deal with the new reality of the pandemic affected the quality of work of social workers, in addition to putting them at risk. The lack of articulation between the health and public policy teams was identified, which also affected the work of the social worker, harming the feasibility of rights. Another factor was the lack of adequate strategies to meet the needs of users, especially those with unfavorable socioeconomic conditions, such as vulnerable groups, including bedridden elderly people. Conclusion: This research clearly reveals how the pandemic intensified the need for protection for these groups, and for social workers on the front line who faced not only the challenges of the disease itself, but also other obstacles that made it difficult to realize their rights and the search for effective solutions to their needs, specifically, the difficult situation faced in Manaus, one of the epicenter cities of the disease, stands out.