This study aims to understand the perceptions of the medical professionals at a public hospital, concerning the role of the Mental Health professionals, identifying simultaneously, the interfaces established between these two categories in the assistance enviroment. Therefore, we begin with the study on demand that characterizes the client assisted by mental health professionals, discussing the main demands required by the medical doctors in the different areas of the hospital unit. At the same time, we highlight the reasons of these indications. Based on this data, we have developed this study, founded on the quantitative approach as the methodological way, by choosing the non directive technique. The sample was composed of doctors from the group that refers patients to Mental Health professionals, and who had been in the hospital staff for at least two years. After the interviews, the analisys identified several themes, forming an interpretative network which was the basis for the hermeneutics exercise. The results of the study pointed to heterogeneous concepts of the informants about the role played by Mental Health within the hospital. In relation to the work organization, the variable time is a fundamental factor in the daily assistance. Differentiation between the psychological and the medical paradigms is observed. The practice finds it difficult to integrate both approaches.
Qualitative research; health professionals; Mental Health; health services; public health