Work arrangements and scope of practice of multiprofessional teams in primary health care: a national survey
1
Center for Education in Public Health (NESCON), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
2
Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais (PUC MINAS), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A3542
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
In 2023, Brazil's Ministry of Health launched the eMulti (Multiprofessional Teams in Primary Health Care) program to strengthen the Unified Health System by integrating diverse professionals into Primary Health Care (PHC). These include physiotherapists, psychologists, social workers, nutritionists, pharmacists, occupational and speech therapists, physical educators, and medical specialists. Operating alongside Family Health Teams, eMulti aims to expand access, improve service resolutivity, and promote comprehensive care through matrix support and individual, collective, and home-based interventions. This study analyzes work arrangements, scopes of practice, and perceived barriers among PHC professionals in eMulti teams.
METHODS:
An online survey was conducted between December 2024 and February 2025 with a non-probabilistic national sample of PHC professionals. The questionnaire covered sociodemographic characteristics, professional training, employment arrangements, and scope of practice. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.
RESULTS:
Among 3805 PHC respondents, 2747 were active eMulti members. he profile was predominantly female (81%), aged 30–49 years (70%), with an average of 12.5 years since graduation and 6.1 years of PHC experience. Most worked in urban centers (57%) or socially vulnerable areas (33%). Monthly salaries ranged from ≈US $ 358 to ≈US $ 2176. A high workload was prevalent: 62.1% reported feeling overburdened due to excessive demand, unclear role definitions, and emotional exhaustion. Furthermore, 39% reported performing tasks outside their traditional scope, such as basic clinical procedures and mental health support, driven by staff shortages, service gaps, and structural constraints.
CONCLUSIONS:
eMulti teams demonstrate strong potential to strengthen interprofessional collaboration and enhance primary health care. Overlapping scopes of practice reflect both service gaps and professional adaptability. With clearer guidelines, adequate staffing, and better working conditions, this flexibility can be leveraged to expand access and increase PHC resolutivity for more equitable, comprehensive care, while also mitigating professional burnout.
In 2023, Brazil's Ministry of Health launched the eMulti (Multiprofessional Teams in Primary Health Care) program to strengthen the Unified Health System by integrating diverse professionals into Primary Health Care (PHC). These include physiotherapists, psychologists, social workers, nutritionists, pharmacists, occupational and speech therapists, physical educators, and medical specialists. Operating alongside Family Health Teams, eMulti aims to expand access, improve service resolutivity, and promote comprehensive care through matrix support and individual, collective, and home-based interventions. This study analyzes work arrangements, scopes of practice, and perceived barriers among PHC professionals in eMulti teams.
METHODS:
An online survey was conducted between December 2024 and February 2025 with a non-probabilistic national sample of PHC professionals. The questionnaire covered sociodemographic characteristics, professional training, employment arrangements, and scope of practice. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.
RESULTS:
Among 3805 PHC respondents, 2747 were active eMulti members. he profile was predominantly female (81%), aged 30–49 years (70%), with an average of 12.5 years since graduation and 6.1 years of PHC experience. Most worked in urban centers (57%) or socially vulnerable areas (33%). Monthly salaries ranged from ≈US $ 358 to ≈US $ 2176. A high workload was prevalent: 62.1% reported feeling overburdened due to excessive demand, unclear role definitions, and emotional exhaustion. Furthermore, 39% reported performing tasks outside their traditional scope, such as basic clinical procedures and mental health support, driven by staff shortages, service gaps, and structural constraints.
CONCLUSIONS:
eMulti teams demonstrate strong potential to strengthen interprofessional collaboration and enhance primary health care. Overlapping scopes of practice reflect both service gaps and professional adaptability. With clearer guidelines, adequate staffing, and better working conditions, this flexibility can be leveraged to expand access and increase PHC resolutivity for more equitable, comprehensive care, while also mitigating professional burnout.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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