Estudo dos tempos e movimentos : uma análise no trabalho dos agentes de combate às endemias

Abstract

This study is set in the context of the public sector, specifically in public health, and focuses on the analysis of the times and motions involved in the activities performed by Community Health Agents (ACEs) in the municipality of Rio Tinto/PB. ACEs play an essential role in the prevention and control of vector-borne endemic diseases. The study adopted a qualitativequantitative, exploratory, and descriptive approach. Research was centered on the home visits conducted by ACEs. Data collection and analysis were carried out through non-participant observation, interviews, measurements, flowchart creation, control chart development, determination of standard time, and assessment of ACE work capacity. Results indicated that a qualified ACE can perform approximately 44 home visits in an 8-hour day, and the standard time for each visit is 11 minutes. Furthermore, the study revealed bottlenecks and points of inefficiency in ACE's activities, such as documentation overload, redundancy of information and waiting periods before visits due to the need for transportation to specific work areas. To improve the activities of ACEs, a proposal for a new work model was developed. Thus, by implementing the proposed improvements, healthcare organizations can enhance ACEs work capacity and provide improvements in ACEs work quality. Furthermore, it is recommended to conduct future studies to assess the effectiveness of the proposals in real work environments, considering environmental factors and distances covered during the study of ACEs work times and motions.