Open AccessObjective: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the adequacy of the structure and processes of primary health care (PHC) in a midsize city in southern Brazil. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the structure and processes of PHC. The structure was evaluated, based on the guidelines of the Ministry of Health, by interviewing 24 coordinators of Primary Healthcare Units (PHU); and the processes of care were assessed, based on PHC attributes measured by the Primary Care Assessment Tool (PCATool-Brazil), by interviewing 98 professional doctors and nurses. Results: We observed inadequacies regarding the high number of inhabitants attended per health team, the low offer of medical consultations, low vocational training for PHC, and lack of systematic evaluation of actions. Likewise, the processes were considered satisfactory regarding some PHC attributes and unsatisfactory in relation to first-contact access (score: 3.6) and longitudinality (score: 6.0). Conclusion: The adequacy of the health system in Chapecó would imply increasing the number of medical consultations/year by 56 thousand, building two new PHUs, stimulating vocational training for PHC, and encouraging the systematic evaluation of actions.
Objective: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the adequacy of the structure and processes of primary health care (PHC) in a midsize city in southern Brazil. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the structure and processes of PHC. The structure was evaluated, based on the guidelines of the Ministry of Health, by interviewing 24 coordinators of Primary Healthcare Units (PHU); and the processes of care were assessed, based on PHC attributes measured by the Primary Care Assessment Tool (PCATool-Brazil), by interviewing 98 professional doctors and nurses. Results: We observed inadequacies regarding the high number of inhabitants attended per health team, the low offer of medical consultations, low vocational training for PHC, and lack of systematic evaluation of actions. Likewise, the processes were considered satisfactory regarding some PHC attributes and unsatisfactory in relation to first-contact access (score: 3.6) and longitudinality (score: 6.0). Conclusion: The adequacy of the health system in Chapecó would imply increasing the number of medical consultations/year by 56 thousand, building two new PHUs, stimulating vocational training for PHC, and encouraging the systematic evaluation of actions.
Objetivo: Este estudo buscou avaliar, em um município de médio porte do sul do Brasil, a adequação da estrutura e dos processos da atenção primária à saúde (APS). Métodos: Usando um recorte transversal, avaliaram-se a estrutura da APS, com base nas orientações do Ministério da Saúde, entrevistando-se 24 coordenadores de unidades básicas de saúde (UBS); e os processos, com base no grau de orientação para APS pelo PCATool- Brasil, entrevistando-se 98 médicos e enfermeiros. Resultados: Foi encontrada inadequação no alto número de habitantes por equipe de saúde, na baixa oferta de consultas, na baixa formação profissional para a APS e na falta de avaliação sistemática das ações. Da mesma forma, o processo foi considerado satisfatório em alguns atributos da APS e insatisfatório em acesso de primeiro contato (escore: 3,6) e longitudinalidade (escore: 6,0). Conclusão: A adequação do sistema de saúde de Chapecó implicaria a ampliação de 56 mil consultas médicas/ano, na construção de 2 novas UBS e o estímulo à formação profissional para a APS, bem como na avaliação sistemática das ações.