"Consultório na Rua" clinic

Care for the homeless in the city center of São Paulo

Abstract

This article presents the practice of the “Consultório na Rua” Program -that assists homeless people in the streets of São Paulo, Brazil -and explore difficulties and innovations of this clinic. Therefore, we made a cartography accompanying the work process of professionals of this Program and identified their knowledge, that where built on the practice of everyday. During the research we realized that there is a gap between theory and practice: the divisions in administrative regions don ́t take into account the reality of the service and the lives assisted; the lack of preparation, training and taking care of professionals undermines the work; and the bureaucratic arrangements deviate the professionals from the clinic. We concluded that is necessary to fortify the clinic of the streets, listen to what the team has to say, and include them in the construction of public politics, also to ensure the health of the worker.