[Training process of the social representations on transsexuality among health professionals: possible ways to overcome prejudice].

The scope of this paper is to identify and analyze the structure of social representations of health professionals about transsexuality. The theoretical and methodological benchmark used was the structural approach to social representations developed by Jean-Claude Abric. 128 health professionals from 22 health units in the State Health Department of the Federal District of Brasília were interviewed. Data collection consisted of the application of a semi-structured questionnaire based on the technique of free association with the key word "transsexuality." The data were processed using EVOC 2000 software. The profile of the subjects reveals the predominance of female participants and professionals in the field of nursing. The terms "sex change" and "prejudice" seem to feature as the central nucleus, and "transformation," "option," "respect" and "acceptance" are the peripheral systems of representation.