[Art, culture and care in psychosocial healthcare services].

Objective: To analyze the process of care developed in group activities of culture and art in community psychosocial healthcare centres.

Methods: This study is part of research evaluating psychosocial health care centers in the city of São Paulo. Ethnographic reports of 126 art and cultural group activities taking place in 21 centers between 2007 and 2008 were analyzed. The analysis included statements from coordinators on the objectives of the observed activities. Based on theoretical psychosocial health care frameworks, content analysis was used to investigate the relationship between the therapeutic tools used and the objectives of the activities.

Results: Three trends of health care were identified: (1) strictly clinical, was predominant and characterized by activities carried out within the centers, with a focus on personal skills and group interactions; (2) psychosocial, including outdoor activities, widening the cultural repertoire and social circulation and; (3) residual, in the minority and without psychosocial benefits.

Conclusions: Carrying out art and cultural activities which result in health care from the perspective of psychosocial rehabilitation depends on the health care professionals' access to cultural assets and creative procedures, on the recognition of these activities as part of the coordinated work of a team and on all those involved being considered as actual producers of culture.