Assistência fisioterapêutica e o processo saúde-doença: um estudo das representações sociais de trabalhadores com distúrbios osteomusculares relacionados ao trabalho

Abstract

Work-related muscoskeletal disorders (WMSD’s) represent the main group of health disturbances amongst occupational diseases. They are defined as pathological syndromes that insidiously get installed in certain parts of the body as a consequence of physical work performed inadequately and of the organizational process of the work performed. Within this context, Physical Therapy is recognized as the branch within Health Care which studies, evaluates, and treats the disturbances in human kinesis provoked by changes in the organs and the bodily systems. Objectives: To analyze the social representations of Physical Therapy amongst workers with WMSD’s in the urban district of Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil and is surrounding areas. Methodology: Study performed with a qualitative approach involving workers with WMSD’s in the Programa de Reabilitação Física do Centro de Referência em Saúde do Trabalhador – CEREST (The Physical Rehabilitation Program at the Center of Reference in Workers’ Health), through the Departamento de Saúde do Trabalhador - DSAT (Workers’ Health Department) Township of Juiz de Fora, MG. The multi-methodological approach used in data collection and analyses has the purpose of reaching the proposed goals in two phases. In phase 1, a quantitative pre-analysis is performed in the first group consisting of 80 workers undergoing physical therapy since the year 2006, who answered a questionnaire to establish and identify the workers’ profile. In phase 2, for a qualitative approach, the Theory of Social Representations is used as theoretical reference in a semi-structured interview with 12 female workers, rating from 29 to 55 years of age, selected from the first group. Results: The notorious predominance of WMSD cases amongst women from less privileged social classes justifies an ample and contextualized approach. The information submitted to a theme analysis indicates that the physical therapy shows long treatment periods and unsatisfying results performed in a curativistic, poorly segmented and ineffective way, in which the use of equipment prevails in detriment of corporal and holistic movements in a strictly physic-pathological method. Conclusions: Apt and duly qualified interdisciplinary teams are needed to help these workers due to the multifactoricity and complexity of WMSD’s. In this view, the physical therapist’s work can be an important part to consolidate this, if performed under the principles of total

integration and equality. With this is view, it can be said that there is need for a total, humane and full attention attached to responsibility and links, in addition to the recognition and value of workers and users. Nevertheless, we have noticed that the professional’s work practice is fragmented and unarticulated by the principles and directives established by the SUS (public health system of Brazil), which seem to oppose public health policies and to violate the individual’s right for health care, which is and must continue being guaranteed by the Constitution. It is imperative that hegemonic practices be transformed to prioritize the holistic and integrated consideration of workers with WMSD’s, thus assuring their welfare and good lifequality.