Agente Comunitário de Saúde

Summary

This video discusses the essential role of Community Health Agents (ACS) in the Family Health Strategy in Brazil. ACS professionals serve as a crucial link between health units and communities, performing tasks such as home visits, updating family health records, and promoting health education. The video highlights the history of ACS, its current responsibilities, and the requirements for becoming an ACS, such as residing in the area of work and completing a selection process. ACS professionals are vital in ensuring primary health care is accessible and effective for local populations.

Takeaways

• 😀 The video discusses the important role of community health agents (ACS) in family health strategy.
• 😀 ACS professionals are linked to basic health units and work within specific geographic areas called micro-areas.
• 😀 They act as a link between the health unit and the local community, especially through regular visits to families' homes.
• 😀 ACS professionals must live in the area they serve for at least 2 years and are required to have lived there before starting their role.
• 😀 The program of community health agents (PACS) was implemented by the Ministry of Health in 1991 and started in the late 1980s in the Northeast of Brazil.
• 😀 The National Primary Care Policy (PAB) of 2012 outlines the main functions of ACS, including family registration, home visits, health promotion, and disease prevention.
• 😀 The ACS must register and update the health records of everyone in their designated area, and also inform families about available health services.
• 😀 An ACS team covers up to 650 people, with no more than 12 ACS per health team, and each health team is responsible for a maximum of 4,000 people.
• 😀 ACS work 40 hours a week, with at least 32 hours dedicated to health team activities and 8 hours for general educational activities.
• 😀 To become an ACS, candidates must pass a public selection process, have completed at least elementary school, be over 18, and attend and pass an introductory course.
• 😀 According to law 11.350/2006, ACS candidates must prove that they reside in the area where they will work.

Q & A

What is the role of the Agente Comunitário de Saúde (ACS)?

The Agente Comunitário de Saúde (ACS) plays a fundamental role in the Family Health Strategy by acting as a liaison between the community and the Basic Health Unit (UBS). They are responsible for regular home visits, health promotion, and preventive care within a specific geographic area.

How is the ACS integrated into the healthcare system?

ACS professionals are linked to a Basic Health Unit (UBS) and work within a defined microarea. They are key to ensuring integration between the healthcare team and the population, helping to ensure the community receives the necessary health services.

What is the history behind the creation of the ACS program?

The ACS program was officially implemented by the Ministry of Health in 1991. It originated in the late 1980s as an initiative to improve the health conditions of communities, particularly in the Northeast region of Brazil, and was initially known as the Pax program.

What are the primary functions of an ACS according to the 2012 National Basic Care Policy?

The primary functions include maintaining an updated register of families in their assigned area, providing health education, offering guidance on health service utilization, conducting home visits, and engaging in health promotion and prevention activities.

What are the requirements to become an ACS?

Candidates must be at least 18 years old, have completed their elementary education, and live in the area they will work in. They must also pass a public selection process and attend an introductory training course.

How many people should an ACS be responsible for managing?

Each ACS should be responsible for a maximum of 650 individuals within their assigned area, and each Family Health Team can have up to 12 ACS professionals.

What are the work hours for an ACS?

An ACS has a total work schedule of 40 hours per week, with at least 32 hours dedicated to activities within the Family Health Team, and the remaining 8 hours can be dedicated to other general activities, including ongoing education.

Can an ACS work for multiple Family Health Teams?

No, each ACS is assigned to only one Family Health Team, and their responsibilities are confined to that team and the population it serves.

What training do ACS candidates need to undergo?

ACS candidates must complete an introductory course as part of their initial training before they begin working. This training helps to strengthen primary healthcare efforts.

What is the legal requirement for ACS candidates in terms of residency?

According to Law 11.350 of 2006, candidates must live in the area where they will work and must prove their residency from the time of the public selection process until their appointment.