Trabalho e saúde mental: uma investigação sobre a percepção do perito médico psiquiatra sobre sua atuação profissional

Resumo (EN)

Forensic psychiatric evaluation plays an essential role in producing the technical evidence that guides judicial decision-making. Despite its social and legal relevance, little is known about how forensic psychiatrists experience their work in practice. This study aimed to investigate the perceptions of these professionals regarding their activities. It is a qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews with five forensic psychiatrists, analyzed through thematic analysis. The participants reported high academic qualification, extensive professional experience, and solid insertion in the forensic field; however, they work without a formal public career, with limited institutional support, and with considerable instability in their relationship with the judiciary. The analysis revealed six thematic nuclei: (1) symbolic and institutional devaluation of the expert and inadequate material conditions; (2) bureaucratic overload resulting from excessive formal questions and frequent objections; (3) tense interprofessional relationships, especially with lawyers, and a prevailing sense of isolation in daily work; (4) workload-related impacts on physical and mental health; (5) uncertainty about the future of the profession, marked by low remuneration, insufficient specialized training opportunities, and the perceived risk of progressive decline in the quality of expert reports; and (6) proposals for improvement focused on institutional support, stricter criteria for expert accreditation, continuous training, and greater recognition of the complexity inherent to forensic psychiatric work. The study highlights the need for organizational improvements, stronger institutional recognition, and strategies to enhance the value of forensic psychiatric expertise, aiming to ensure better technical quality, legal reliability, and long-term sustainability of the field. As a technical product, an educational podcast was developed to promote scientific dissemination, broaden public understanding, and encourage critical reflection among professionals in the area.