Interprofessionalism in the family health strategy within vulnerable municipalities of the Brazilian northeast: a qualitative analysis

The reorientation of teamwork processes through interprofessional collaboration enables the promotion of comprehensive health care and the continuity of care in contexts of social vulnerability in rural areas. Therefore, the aim of this study is to understand interprofessional collaborative practices in vulnerable municipalities located in rural areas of Northeastern Brazil, based on the perspectives of Family Health Strategy workers in Primary Health Care. This is a qualitative multiple-case study conducted in three vulnerable municipalities in Northeastern Brazil. A total of 23 health professionals from Family Health Strategy teams participated in the study. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using dialectical hermeneutics. The findings indicate that: the characteristics of the areas influence the delivery of health actions and services; the presence of multiprofessional teams in primary health care does not necessarily ensure the implementation of interprofessionality; and the lack of shared actions among professionals is a common challenge in the municipalities studied. It is therefore necessary to understand interprofessional collaboration in rural settings as strategies to enhance care in Primary Health Care through a comprehensive health approach.