Supervision of Community Health Agents in the Family Health Strategy: the perspective of nurses

Objective: Analyzing the conceptions of supervision of nurses in the Family Health Strategy (ESF - Estrategia Saude da Familia) in relation to community health workers (ACS - Agente Comunitario de Saude), taking for reference the work process and the power relations. Method: A qualitative study, in which 18 interviews were carried out with nurses from the ESF in the countryside of the state of Goias. Following transcription, the data were subjected to thematic content analysis and the following categories were identified: Supervision with that sees it all and Supervision is participating and working together. Results: Among the findings, it is clear the character of control and monitoring that is carried out primarily through printed instruments and home visits, which constitute vertical and impositive relations, and suffer influence of the local health management. Another finding is the supervision as acting together and with the educational perspective. Conclusion: The supervision carried out does not provide the changes intended by the ESF.