Distribution, professional composition, and work processes of multiprofessional teams in Espírito Santo primary health care

Abstract

Multiprofessional teams (eMulti), established in 2023, represent the main strategy for resuming interprofessional
support in Brazilian Primary Health Care (PHC), yet systematic empirical evidence on their implementation remains scarce. This census-based cross-sectional study describes and analyzes the distribution, professional composition, and work processes of eMulti in Primary Care Units (UBS) in Espírito Santo, Brazil, using data from the 2024 National UBS Census (824 UBS). Only about a quarter of UBS (25.9%) had eMulti, concentrated in the Metropolitan Region and composed mainly of psychologists, social workers, and nutritionists, while categories such as sanitarians and occupational therapists were rare. Among UBS with eMulti, most held joint meetings, though nearly half lacked a defined frequency, and structuring tools for matrix support, such as care plans and teleconsultations, remained underused. Shared care prioritized violence and psychological distress, with lower coverage for tuberculosis and leprosy. These findings indicate an incipient and unequal implementation of eMulti in the state,
with weaknesses in the institutionalization of matrix support that constrain its potential to strengthen comprehensiveness and care coordination in PHC.