Psychologists’ Perceptions of Their Integration and Professional Practice within Multidisciplinary Primary Health Care Teams: A Study in a Municipality in Southern Tocantins.

Abstract

Introduction: Primary Health Care is the gateway to the Unified Health System (SUS), characterized by integrated and interdisciplinary practice. Among the multiprofessional team members, the psychologist stands out, playing a role that involves mental health promotion, disease prevention, and comprehensive care. The objective of this study was to investigate psychologists' perceptions regarding their practice and insertion into the primary care multiprofessional team in a municipality in the Southern Region of Tocantins. Methodology: This was a qualitative, cross-sectional field study, with data collected through semi-structured interviews with 10 psychologists working in Basic Health Units (UBS). Results: The results presented a scenario marked by precarious employment ties and a mismatch between academic training centered on the traditional clinical model and public health demands. Professional practice proved to be predominantly focused on individual care, to the detriment of collective actions, reflecting technical insecurities and institutional barriers. Conclusion: It is concluded that there is an urgent need to rethink psychology training to address the specificities of the SUS, as well as the need for public policies that guarantee job stability, better working conditions, and continuing education. Future studies with larger and longitudinal samples are suggested to deepen the understanding of these professionals' trajectory in the public system.