Therapeutic follow-up and network intervention as a strategy in psychosocial care

OBJECTIVE: to analyze Therapeutic Follow-Up (TF) and Network Intervention (NI) as devices for social network/Psychosocial Care Center (CAPS - Centro de Atencao Psicossocial) user staff construction. METHOD: an ethnographic study. Data collection instruments were participant observation, field diary, semi-structured interviews and Sluzki's Minimal Map of Relationships. The research site was at a CAPS II of the city of Sao Paulo. Participants were CAPS user, their family network, professionals and other users. Data analysis took place through Minayo's thematic content analysis framework and Sluzki's personal maps. RESULTS: TF and NI led to greater social participation, autonomy and reorganization of family roles and treatment in CAPS. CONCLUSION: the TF associated with NI was potent in strengthening the user's personal/social network and in including them in community activities.