ISSN 2317-1782 (Online version)

Original Article The role of speech-language therapists

Artigo Original
in primary healthcare from the
Suelen Bernardo Guckert1  perspective of professionals in family
Carolina Rogel de Souza1 
Aline Megumi Arakawa-Belaunde1 
health support centers
Atuação fonoaudiológica na atenção básica
na perspectiva de profissionais dos núcleos
de apoio à saúde da família

Keywords ABSTRACT
Health Promotion Purpose: To analyze the perception of professionals constituting Family Health Support Centers (FHSC) of a
Speech-Language Sciences capital in the South Region of Brazil regarding the role of speech-language therapy professionals in primary
care (PC). Method: This is a qualitative, observational cross-sectional study. All professionals constituting
Primary Health Care the FHSC who voluntarily agreed to collaborate with the research participated in this study. A semi-structured
Family Health questionnaire was applied containing information about the professional profile and activities developed in
Health Personnel PC. Results: Health professionals perform actions that would allow for the joint participation of speech-
language therapy professionals, since this category is not contemplated in the staff members that constitute the
municipality team analyzed. According to the questionnaire, referrals to speech-language therapy professionals
are mainly related children issues with speech and language. Little knowledge on the contribution of speech-
language sciences regarding interdisciplinary actions was found. Conclusion: The participants of this study
demonstrated a reductionist perception regarding speech-language sciences in PC. In addition, the actions
performed by the professionals of this study are directed towards what the speech-language professional
could contribute instead. Further studies could demonstrate the benefits that speech-language professionals
can provide to the activities performed.

Descritores RESUMO
Promoção da saúde Objetivo: Analisar a percepção dos profissionais que compõem os Núcleos de Apoio à Saúde da Família
Fonoaudiologia (NASF) de uma capital da região sul do País, sobre a atuação do fonoaudiólogo na atenção básica (AB).
Método: Trata-se de um estudo qualitativo, observacional transversal. Participaram da presente pesquisa todos
Atenção Básica os profissionais do quadro do NASF que aceitaram voluntariamente colaborar com a pesquisa. Aplicou-se um
Saúde da Família questionário semiestruturado contendo informações sobre o perfil profissional e suas atividades desenvolvidas
Pessoal de Saúde na AB. Resultados: Os profissionais de saúde realizam ações que possibilitariam a participação conjunta do
fonoaudiólogo, porém, essa especialidade não está contemplada no quadro de profissionais que integram as equipes
do município estudado. De acordo com o questionário, os encaminhamentos para a fonoaudiologia acontecem
principalmente em assuntos relacionados à fala e linguagem infantil. Percebe-se pouco conhecimento acerca
da contribuição fonoaudiológica no que diz respeito às ações interdisciplinares. Conclusão: Os participantes
deste estudo demonstraram uma percepção reducionista no que diz respeito à atuação fonoaudiológica na AB.
Além disso, as ações realizadas por estes profissionais direcionam-se àquelas que o fonoaudiólogo poderia
contribuir. Sugere-se que próximos estudos possam demonstrar os benefícios que o fonoaudiólogo pode levar
para as atividades realizadas.

Corresponding Address: Study conducted at the Departamento de Fonoaudiologia da Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina –
Aline Megumi Arakawa-Belaunde UFSC – Florianópolis (SC), Brasil.
Centro de Ciências da Saúde, 1
Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina – UFSC – Florianópolis (SC), Brasil.
Coordenadoria Especial de
Fonoaudiologia, Campus Universitário, Conflict of interest: Nothing to declare.
Trindade-Florianópolis (SC), Brasil. Funding source: Nothing to declare.
E-mail: arakawa.aline@ufsc.br

Received: April 02, 2019.

Accepted: Octeber 14, 2019.

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which
permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Guckert et al. CoDAS 2020;32(5):e20190102 DOI: 10.1590/2317-1782/20202019102 1/8

INTRODUCTION As such, this study analyzes the perception concerning the
roles of the SLT in PC of the professionals that constitutes the
The Brazilian Unified Healthcare System (UHS) was FHSC in a capital of the South Region of Brazil.
created to offer the population with recognition of health as a
social right contemplated by public policies in a universal and
METHODS
integrated manner, leading to reflection on the perception of
health care(1). In 1994, to strengthen this new model of health
This qualitative, cross-sectional, observational study included
care, the Family Health Program (FHS) was created, later called
Family Health Strategy (FHS) and, in 2008, the Family Health professionals belonging to the FHSC of a capital in the South
Support Center (FHSC)(2). Region of Brazil. All constitutive FHSC professionals who
In 2017, there were some modifications to the model adopted voluntarily accepted to participate in the research were included
by FHSC. Its main modification concerned the supported teams, in this study and those away from work or in a vacation period
as the FHSC currently also assists traditional Primary Care at the time of data collection were excluded. It should be noted
teams (PC), changing their naming to Extended Center for that the SLT is not part of the FHSC teams in the municipality,
Family Health and Primary Care (FHSC-PC). The FHSC-PC
despite the professional being present in the medical complex
team constitution has not changed, remaining with different
and the hospital network.
professions and specializations of the Health field acting in an
integrated manner(3). Initially, contact was made with the coordinator of each
Speech-language therapists (SLT) were part of this program Health District of the municipality to clarify the purposes of the
since the implementation of UHS, gaining space as they research and enable participation in meetings with the FHSC
joined the PC(4). Along with the multi-disciplinary team, this teams. Subsequently, ideal day and time were chosen for the
professional can perform activities such as situational and researcher to participate in the meeting in order to clarify the
institutional diagnosis, welcoming, home visits, individual or
aspects inherent to the research to the participating professionals.
group consultations, in health education within waiting rooms
A semi-structured questionnaire (open and closed questions)
and/or near health units (physical activity groups, health and
conviviality care, mental health care, arts therapy, matrix- was applied for data collection, including information concerning
related work, work in campaigns for healthcare, permanent the professional profile, activities developed as a member of the
education of support teams, as well as conduct and disseminate FHSC, and knowledge about the role of the SLT.
research)(2). It should be noted that, when included in the team The professionals were invited by the researcher at a FHSC
of the FHSC, the SLT should prioritize activities of collective meeting to participate voluntarily in this research. Those who
nature, collaborating for the strengthening of social support and accepted signed the term of free and informed consent after
community approximation(5).
its reading.
There are demands exclusive to the SLT in terms of clinical
and collective care in order to act as to provide rehabilitation The data were described and, for the analysis and interpretation
as well as prevent and promote health(6). of the aspects of the discursive questions, a thematic modality
The focus on health promotion is one of the main goals of PC was chosen(10). After the transcription, the material was read
Professionals, providing a support network with appropriate health by the researchers, performing an initial analysis of the data,
promotion strategies the community in which the whole network which were later grouped into thematic subcategories and
is addressed, taking into account the needs of the population(7). finally categorized.
According to the Brazilian National Health Promotion Policy,
This study is part of a larger project called “Health
the participation of other sectors and institutions is essential to
provide health and care(8). Promotion: possibilities in the role of speech-language
Health-promoting measures contribute to a better quality of therapists in primary healthcare” and was approved by the
life of the population(8). In addition, collective services promote Ethics Committee of the institution of origin under protocol
an environment favorable to the exchange of experiences between CAAE No. 57795116.1.0000000121.
participants, as well as the adoption of healthy living habits,
which result in the well-being of these individuals(6). RESULTS
In this case, it is important to follow the principles of PC,
which involves the promotion of health and prevention of This study included 39 professionals that constitute the
health issues to fully provide such service/care(7). Nascimento FHSC pertaining to the five health districts. Each FHSC has
and Nakamura (2018)(4) reported that the absence of the SLT
on average eight professionals, with a minimum of five and a
in the health team is a reflection of the poor distribution and
max of ten members. The mean age of these professionals was
insufficient human resources destined to the health field, leading
to negative impact for the community as a lack of access to such 31 years (SD=15), with a minimum and maximum of 23 and
services, in addition to the potential lack of knowledge on the 54 years, respectively. The majority (89.74%) belong to the
possible roles of the speech-language professional(9). female gender, as shown in Table 1.

Guckert et al. CoDAS 2020;32(5):e20190102 DOI: 10.1590/2317-1782/20202019102 2/8

Table 1. Profile of the professionals that constitute the FHSC professionals. This can happen in the team’s matrix work, in the
teams training of FHS professionals, in home visits, in the support of
Gender N % teams, in case discussion, in the participation of team meetings,
Female 35 89.75% in the actions carried out by the Health at School Program
Male 4 10.25% (HSP), and when considering the demand of the Health Center,
Undergraduate N %
as shown in the sections below.
Physical Education 7 17.94%
“Speech-language therapy can contribute to PC by matrix
Physical Therapy 7 17.94%
care for FHS, participating in HSP meetings and meeting
Nutrition 7 17.94% demands.” (P1)
Psychology 6 15.38% “By supporting the teams for the specific demands of
Social services 5 12.82% speech-language therapy as well as helping to broaden the
Pharmacy 4 10.25% scope of FHS actions, thus contributing to the promotion
Medicine 3 7.69% of Health”. (P13)
Level of Education N % “[…] activities of FHSC such as home visits, enrollment
Lato Sensu 22 51.28% with FHS […]. Also in all activities that can be improved
with the specific knowledge of the field” (P19).
Stricto Sensu 12 30.76%

Training region (undergraduate course) N %

“Team capacity, matrix support, decreasing the number of
referrals to secondary care.” (P22)
South 20 51.30%

Northeast 1 7.70%
“Matrix support with the FHSs for case discussion, permanent
education at the FHS.” (P37)
Southeast 3 2.60%

According to the Municipal Health Secretariat of the The role of the SLT can be performed in all life cycles, from
municipality, during the research period (March to August birth to senescence, through collective and individual strategies,
2017), the PC organization system was constituted by 50 thus meeting existing needs, whether individual and/or collective.
Health Centers, subdivided into five health districts, which are In addition, these actions are also carried out outside the scope
responsible for the administration of the network at regional of the Health Center, as reported below:
level: Continente, Center, East, North and South. With regard
to the FHSC, there are 12 teams, distributed as follows: three “With extramural measures in schools, community center,
in the Continente District, three in the South District, two in the companies.” (P8)
Center District, two in the East District and two in the North
District (CNES, 2016)(11). A total of 16 (41.02%) participants carried out referrals to
These FHSC teams include, most notably, professionals the SLT due to the demands and needs presented by the patient,
with training in Physical Education, Physical Therapy and given the wide range of pathologies that focused mainly on
Nutrition, corresponding to 17.94% each, with 51.30% having issues related to the speech and language of children.
come from the South Region. The highest degree mentioned by
the participants was lato sensu (Professional Degree) (51.28%), “Learning disorder evaluation, language development,
with mean working time at UHS of seven years (minimum 12 ADHD investigation, stuttering, mutism, investigation of
and maximum 21 years). hearing/speech issues.” (P2)
Their mean working time at FHSC was 56 months (minimum “Language, learning and reading/writing issues,
12 and maximum 96 months). Each FHSC team supports on communication issues in disabled people and people in the
average 12 FHS (minimum three and maximum 32 FHS) and autistic spectrum”. (P10)
on average five health centers (minimum one and maximum
“Children with learning disabilities/improving swallowing
15 health centers).
for older people/improving vocal health in teachers’”. (P19)
Analysis of the open questions showed that contribution of
the SLT in PC was mentioned by 38 (97,44%) professionals.
Analysis of the responses by the FHSC professionals allowed UHS has many demands for professionals in specific fields, as
for categorization into (I) SLT contribution to PC, (II) actions is the case of the SLT. Below, the participants’ statements show
carried out in PC with the support of the FHSC professional, that the greatest demand is directed to the children’s audience
(III) health promotion and health issues prevention groups with language issues, however, as previously mentioned, other
carried out in PC. audiences would also benefit from the knowledge of a SLT.
Speech-language therapist contribution to PC:
“[…] I can see the need to strengthen the connection with
The answers provided with use of the questionnaire showed the speech-language therapist to discuss complex cases
that the SLT can contribute in several ways to the other FHSC and draw a therapeutic plan because of many cases, mainly

Guckert et al. CoDAS 2020;32(5):e20190102 DOI: 10.1590/2317-1782/20202019102 3/8

 involving children, learning disabilities, exchange at the In this study, the most cited actions were matrix support,
language level, among other cases”. (P2) home visits and group actions, as noted in what was stated by
“The most frequent need as I see it is related to patients the participating professionals. It should also be noted that the
who suffered from stroke, with deglutition issues and speech members of the FHSC team, in addition to the services provided
[…] problems related to children’s development and facial at the health unit, can also contribute with actions carried out
paralysis in adults”. (P15) at the HSP and with family reception:
“[…] children with learning disabilities, teacher groups,
prevention of vocal health and reduction of body pain, groups “FHS matrix support, individual and collective care,
of caregivers for older people, essential care for bedridden participation in mental health meetings and in the HSP
people. Also in all activities that can be improved with the writing groups”. (P1)
specific knowledge of the field”. (P18) “Welcoming, case discussion (matrix support), home visits,
“Guidelines for post-stroke patients (and follow-up), therapeutic groups.” (P8)
guidelines for breastfeeding, for learning disabilities, for
guidelines and the follow-up of patients with speech and Health promotion and prevention groups performed in
deglutition issues and guidelines for patients with facial Primary Care
paralysis”. (P33)
Among all groups, the groups most mentioned by the
“With professional training, care and guidance of patients
professionals were: Physical Activity 28.23%; Anti-smoking
with diction problems, hearing problems.” (P39)
and Healthy Habits 9.68%; and Diabetics, 8.87%. The least
mentioned groups were Physical Therapy and Vaccination.
Actions carried out in the PC with the support of the FHSC There was prevalence of professional participation in Physical
professional: Education and Nutrition. Among those surveyed, seven reported
Among several actions carried out in PC that have the support not participating any group activity. In addition, 82,05% pointed
of FHSC professionals, there are: matrix support meetings, out information regarding the perception of conducting health
shared and specific individual care, shared and specific home promotion measures performed in groups. Of the total of 49
care, shared and specific collective activity, and the elaboration mentions about creating groups, 15 were compiled according to
of supporting materials, routines, protocols and other measures the theme presented by the professionals, as shown in Table 2.
of permanent education, as reported by the professionals of this
study, in the following lines: Table 2. Description of group activities performed in the Health
Centers, Florianópolis, 2017
“FHS matrix support, individual and collective care, N %
participation in mental health meetings and in the HSP Professionals participating in groups 32 82.05%
writing groups”. (P2) Groups N %
“Individual care, matrix support, home visits, joint Physical Activities 35 28.23%
consultation, health promotion/recovery groups, and Anti-smoking 12 9.68%
permanent education.” (P3)
Healthy Habits 12 9.68%
“Individual care and interconsultations, home visits, Diabetes 11 8.87%
participation in health education groups, school education
Children and Adolescents 10 8.06%
activities, matrix support actions, permanent education with
Pregnant Women 10 8.06%
professionals, and so on.” (P6)
Pain Reduction and Rehabilitation 9 7.25%
“Individual care and group attendance, home visits, teaching
Mental Health 6 4.83%
residents, matrix support with the FHSs, and contact with
the intersectoral network.” (P18) Health Promotion in general 5 4.03%

Health Program at School 4 3.22%

“Drug management, pharmaceutical consultation,
auriculotherapy consultation, auriculotherapy groups, Caregivers 3 2.41%

matrix support with the teams.” (P32) Community Garden 3 2.41%

“Groups to provide guidelines about care, stretching, and Medicalization/Demedicalization 2 1.61%

injury prevention. Case discussion with the FHS, home visit, Physical Therapy 1 0.80%
individual care for evaluation and/or follow-up”. (P33) Vaccination 1 0.80%

“Matrix support with the FHS s and case discussion,

interconsultations with the FHS, group participation with As far as intersectoral measures are concerned, it seems not
the FHS, individual and group care of patients referred to to be a common practice among the professionals of this study,
the nutritionist.” (P37) since only two mentioned it as follows:

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 “Groups of parents and caregivers, psychological support clinical activity, which can sometimes hinder the performance
group, HSP listening group, matrix support in mental health of this professional in PC. The FHS and FHSC propose an
(case discussion, interconsultation), intersectoral meetings, organization of work focusing on the team and on joint action
meetings between FHSC and categories, individual care among professionals, favoring the use of soft and soft-hard
articulated with the RAPS”. (P34) technologies in clinical practice(15). It is extremely important to
“[…] intersectoral meeting, meetings between NFS and focus on in-service training, such as Multi-Professional Family
categories, individual meetings articulated with the RAPS”. Health Residency Courses with the experience of day-to-day
(P34) service, and meetings with various professionals and users(2,6).
As reported above, one of the forms of action of speech-
“Individual care and group attendance, home visits, teaching
language therapy in FHSC pointed out by the interviewed
residents, matrix support with the FHSs, and contact with
professionals is participation in matrix support. Matrix support
the intersectoral network.” (P18)
is a form of joint work between distinct teams, including direct
contact with the user population of the service provided, which
DISCUSSION follows the daily life of health practices, and the presence of
This study verified the perception of the professionals that the team into helping think and organize the most beneficial
constitute the FHSC teams concerning the role of the SLT in care projects for each person or group(12).
PC, finding a prevalence of female professionals (89.75%), As such, matrix support is an important tool in the construction
with mean age of 31.41 years (SD=15.05), an aspect similar to of healthcare projects and a way to bring teams together in
what is observed in other studies(12,13). everyday service(8,19). For language-speech therapy, It is a
The group composition consists of more women than men. powerful mechanism for the language-speech therapist insertion
This may be related to professions dealing with care that, in collective practices, being able to assist in a bigger discussion
according to the literature, in the past, domestic activities and about their own clinical practice, since as a supporter they should
family care (husband and children) were tasks exclusively use other forms of work: team discussions, organization of
attributed to the female sex. There is a historical and cultural service flows in the service network, among many other tasks
process that has changed over the years(14). besides the individual clinical performance(12).
It is important to point out that the SLT in public health dates For such, one of the tools used by FHS and other PC teams is
from the seventies or eighties, and is thus not very expressive home visits. As previously seen, home visits were mentioned as
and nor are they as accessible. With the creation of UHS in the second most common activity among the team’s professionals,
the 1980s, health is considered a right of every citizen and a positive aspect given the visibility of this type of care among
the organization of the system provides full access to health the professionals working in the analyzed municipality. Home
measures and services. Over the years and throughout the visit are conducted for those people/families who have issues
growing discussion on the role of professionals in Primary Care, going to a health unit to receive the necessary healthcare,
proposals emerged and today PC operates under the model of however, not all professionals carry out this activity in their care
FHS, focusing on the territory, its needs and demands, and its routine(2). It is also a way of being in the territory, of knowing
inhabitants(15). and acknowledging the reality experienced by users in their
Thus, in 2008, a new team was incorporated into the FHS social environment. This information helps teams propose
s based on Matrix support, seeking to increase the scope of healthcare projects as well as expand their look, benefiting the
actions in PC. This way, the FHSC was created, which is extended clinic.
organized under the logic of Matrix support, of the creation The speech-language therapist is favored by home visits, as
and maintenance of unique therapy projects in conjunction with it is the moment to know the patient’s real living conditions, in
FHS s and users, betting on the redirection of the specialized addition of establishing relations and family or friendship ties.
look to the extended clinic(16). This information helps in decision-making concerning which
The FHSC constitution is defined according to the needs therapy to follow and adaptation methods, if necessary. But again
of the territory and of the health teams and it is up to the the deficiency in the training of these professionals becomes a
municipal managers to establish and distribute the number of hindrance, as they may not have had contact with this kind of
professionals that should constitute the teams of each region(16). experience during their training, hindering the expansion of the
The presence of the SLT as part of the FHSC professionals professional’s perception that stretches beyond the biomedical
caused an increase in its total number in PC, but still far from perspective.
ideal for the Brazilian population and unequally distributed The recorded sentences show that at least four of them
between the various regions of the country(17). This unequal refer to the role of the SLT in the care of issues related to the
distribution impacts universal access to these professionals and literacy period, where they mention that the SLT can act in
their actions of health promotion and health issues prevention. conjunction with “learning disorders”, “ADHD”, “reading
As noted in this study, ways of organizing the work of FHSC and writing issues”, as well as their presence in the actions of
teams were mentioned, most of them contemplating matrix-related the HSP. It should be noted that the diagnosis and intervention
measures, home visits, actions with the HSP, group meetings, of language issues need to be carried out early since the first
and discussion of cases with the other teams. It is worth noting years of the child’s development are essential for the acquisition
that the formation of the SLT is still focused on individual of linguistic content(20). Therefore, the warning signs of such

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changes should be observed carefully by all professionals who of knowledge, performing a mutual and continuous exchange
are involved with the care of the child population(21). in order to face the challenges encountered(9). In this study,
As for the role of the speech-language therapist in professionals reported having done this exchange of information
language-related aspects, a previous study conducted with PC and knowledge through meetings and case discussions held by
professionals showed only 53.33% of participants were able to family health professionals.
identify possible language issues. This same study found that In addition, it was observed that only two professionals
PC professionals have an interest in deepening the knowledge mentioned participation in intersectoral actions. Intersectoral
on the development of language in childhood(20). These data are actions should be planned with the aim of integrating the reference
extremely important for speech-language therapy, since their teams of each territory(3). However, these are scarce in the routine
presence in PC is justified, either by supporting FHSs in the of health professionals, following a management model with
discussion of cases involving language issues, or by proposing low integrative, vertical actions, focused on assistentialism,
permanent education measures with the same professionals. weakening one of the foundations of Primary Health Care (APS),
These findings show the need to have a SLT working in that is, the engagement between the teams and the assigned
conjunction with the other professionals who constitute these population. It should be stressed that interdisciplinarity can focus
teams in order to share their knowledge, so that they can contribute on the implementation of actions to promote health, confront
to future measures to be taken by the FHSs for health issues and modify the Social Determinants of Health(23).
prevention and the promotion of human communication(21). In order for the network to be able to meet the high demands
Only two professionals mentioned mental health in this that arise, health promotion and health issues prevention can be
study. Mental health should be one of the issues addressed in carried out by focusing on the development of groups. Collective
the discussions by the professionals of the teams, since it is care provides many benefits to the participants, since it results
an essential topic to assist the subject in maintaining social in exchange of information, experience, knowledge, among
balance, as well as enabling the insertion of such individuals others(24). By utilizing groups in certain cases, it is possible to
in the community where they live. This is an issue that must reduce the waiting list and provide welcoming to users who
be discussed in order to modify the paradigms in the field of are waiting for assistance with the professional of a particular
health(22) and improve the care provided to people with such needs. area/specialty.
In the FHSC team, the SLT has the ability to act in the context The presence of group activities in the health units is
of family and society as well as supporting and participating in recommended as a way to extend access to discussion concerning
the transformation of health care by working together with other specific topics, which is often focused on health conditions
staff in the development of therapeutic projects, and contributing (hypertension, diabetes, gestation) or specific groups (older
to the practice of the clinic and extended clinic, which takes adults, children, women). In fact, groups are a powerful tool to
into account individuals and their needs(5,9). Faced with such provide care, it is a space for sharing knowledge, be it technical
possibilities, it would be enriching if, in the municipality or popular, as well as a space for welcoming and the formation
analyzed, managers knew/acknowledged the possibility of of community networks(25,26).
including the SLT into the teams in favor of healthcare with Still concerning integrated activities, speech-language
a resolution-oriented and integrated nature as provided for in practices can be present in group activities with an enriching
the guidelines and foundations of the National Primary Care service, while allowing for the possibility to exchange knowledge
Policy (NPCP)(3). and experiences(24). Although emphasis is placed on individual
This way, the FHSC team can articulate with their knowledge performance, as the study by Andrade et al. (2014)(6) demonstrates,
so that they can jointly share practices in health by meeting the as they verified that a large part of the SLT who participated
demands of the territory(21). With the exchange of information in their research carried out individual and collective services,
and experiences of participants in this study, it is possible to the interventions performed individually prevailed, considering
develop strategies that offer the population an interdisciplinary the specific demands of their field.
quality service involving PC professionals. Some groups who handle specific themes can count on the
The presence of the SLT in PC, as already described, can presence of the SLT and their technique in a more direct manner,
help in the early detection of language or hearing issues, and in such as the anti-smoking group, in which the participation of the
the proposition of collective and intersectoral measures focused SLT enriches dialogue given the impact of smoking on voice
on the literacy process; all of these activities taking place in the issues, respiratory diseases, heart problems and head and/or
health unit, in the school, and in the territory in which patients neck cancer(27).
are situated. By focusing on collective and shared measures The Healthy Habits group involves aspects of care that may
in PC the SLT increases the access of the population to their contribute to the prevention of comorbidities such as diabetes
actions, and the flow of appointments in secondary care by mellitus, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases(28). In the
assisting in the organization of the health system as well as the literature, showed scarce participation of speech-language science
optimization of human and material resources. in group activities, especially with regard to healthy habits.
In order for this sharing of knowledge and learning to For example, there exist diabetics groups which help in the
be accomplished, there must be communication between control of the disease and orientation to the population since
professionals. Thus, the interdisciplinary follow-up can be this space allows for exchanging information and experiences
seen as a way to promote the dialogue between various kinds in a fluid manner between peers(29). Speech-language science

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can act in this clinical practice by helping in the planning of the SLT is restricted to rehabilitation which can be mistakenly
public health strategies that lead to changing the current picture understood as a profession focused on specialized care.
of each patient and, consequently, improving the quality of
life of such individuals, in addition to reducing social costs(30). REFERENCES
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SBG, AMAB contributed in study conception and design, data analysis, and
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de uma estratégia de saúde da família em grupos de saúde. Revista and final approval of the version to be published. All authors agree to be res-
Brasileira em promoção da Saúde. 2015; 28(4): 496-503. https://doi. ponsible for all aspects of this study, ensuring that issues related to the accuracy
org/10.5020/18061230.2015.p496 or integrity of any part of the study are properly investigated and resolved.

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