Evaluation of health care systems and primary health care strategy

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: the aim of this project was to evaluate the quality of health care systems based on the strategy of Primary Health Care in different areas of the country. METHOD: cross-sectional study with a triangular approach, including a) a survey to the population demanding care, b) interviews to key referents of the health team, and c) health team focus groups. The components of structure, process and outcomes of the health system based on PHC were evaluated by specific indicators. RESULTS: the analysis of the information shows an evident deficit of the integration of the professional team, mainly in the activities towards community, the lack of norms and lack of facilities for disable people. It must be noted also the high percentage of the health care team that does not know about current institutional health programs and the lack of an adequate information system for the area population and for the administrative process in most of the sites studied. CONCLUSION: in spite of the efforts to implement the PHC strategy, most of health centers evaluated are still providing care based on the traditional model oriented to the demands of care.