INSERÇÃO DA PSICOLOGIA EM UM HOSPITAL GERAL: Desafios, demandas e perfis dos pacientes atendidos

The practice of hospital psychology is still under development and lacks sufficient studies on professional performance. Therefore, this article investigates the expansion of the psychology service in a general hospital, along with the trajectory and profile of the patients assisted. This is a descriptive, documentary, and retrospective study, approved by the UNIPAM Research Ethics Committee (CEP) under opinion number 6.304.076, with access to a patient database of individuals aged 18 years or older who were hospitalized between May 2022 and November 2023. Data were retrieved on sociodemographic characteristics, psychological follow-up history, mental health status assessment, and support network. The variables and instruments were expressed (percentage, frequency) through management reports generated by the Tasy® hospital management system. There was a higher prevalence of women assisted by the service (51.2%) compared to the previous year (2022). The reduction in the predominance of patients from Patos de Minas (79.4%) was maintained, although it remains significant. From a civil status perspective, there was a higher concentration of single individuals (44.2%) compared to 28.7% married, 15.6% widowed, and 11.4% others (divorced, in a stable union, separated, legally separated). Psychological intervention demands focused on emotional functioning (49.1%), predominantly dysphoric mood. Research, teaching, and outreach were integrated through projects developed in partnership between the UNIPAM Psychology program and the Hospital Psychology Service. The data highlight the need for the psychology service to continue, given its scope and demand. This study presents limitations, such as the absence of some essential information in patient records due to modifications, adjustments, and updates in the software used, as well as changes in the psychological demand screening instrument.