Problematization when developed inside the community scenery enhances the interaction with reality. A subject worth being emphasized in the practice of primary care is screening. This study describes a problematization experience carried out with 2nd year students from the Sorocaba University Medical School. A cross-sectional study was conducted from August to September 2004 in neighborhoods where the Family Health Program was implemented. The SRQ-20 was employed for screening Common Mental Disorders and social, demographic and comorbidity data were collected. The results were presented to the municipal authorities in order to define intervention. One hundred and eighty four individuals were interviewed. The prevalence verified was of 35.3%, with significant differences according to age, comorbidity, per capita income, neighborhood and educational level. The intervention strategy proposed was divided into individual and collective actions, including referral of potential carriers to medical care, community therapy and health promotion. This teaching methodology proved efficient. The students' contact with a social reality different from their own motivated them to reflections, which are useful for their human and academic education.
Education, Medical; Mental Disorders; Mass Screening; Family Practice; Primary Prevention; Primary Health Care
