Contributions and challenges of physical education professionals at the Center for Psychosocial Support

This cross-sectional, descriptive, quantitative, and qualitative study aimed to investigate the contributions and challenges of physical education professionals working at the Center for Psychosocial Support (CPSS) in Recife, Brazil. The study population was composed of CPSS professionals and professionals from the Academia da Cidade Program (ACP) who worked at the CPSS. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire, which was administered to professionals from all 17 CPSS and from ACP centers in Recife during previously scheduled visits to these sites. The following variables were assessed: sociodemographic data, initial and ongoing training, and aspects regarding the level of integration between these two health care services. Data were stored and organized using the EpiData software, version 3.1, and then analyzed using SPSS, version 10.0. Results are presented in absolute and relative frequencies. We used content analysis to analyze the qualitative data. The study included 115 CPSS professionals and 24 ACP professionals. More than half of both respondent groups rated ACP participation in the CPSS as very important for users; however, the level of integration between these two services was rated as moderate or poor, and these results were reinforced in the analysis of the qualitative questions. We conclude that the participation of physical education professionals in the CPSS brings contributions related to users’ benefits and teamwork at both services, but structural and work process issues were challenges that need to be overcome in order to allow a more qualified and integrated performance from these professionals.