Relato de experiência acerca do trabalho do agente comunitário de saúde:

reflexões sobre sua prática

Resumen

This report of the experience a pair of undergraduate students of the Nursing Program of the School of Nursing, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Brazil, sought to promote reflection on the importance of continuing education for Community Health Agents engaged in the Family Health Program in the city of Cuiabá, Mato Grosso state. Observation of the activities performed by these agents and rounds of conversation were the instruments used to gather understanding of the dynamics their work. The experience revealed the need to clarify some of the basic concepts held by these agents, so as to enable them to supply reliable data to the Brazilian Primary Care Information System and to effectively perform their professional tasks in the community. The contact between university and work environment led to improved understanding of the role of nurses in the planning and implementation of sequential specific approaches viewed as relevant for expanding the knowledge held by professionals who contribute significantly to health promotion in the community. The study revealed that continuing education is an effective tool for further qualifying the work of Community Health Agents.