Avaliação dos atributos da Atenção Primária em Saúde sob a ótica dos médicos das Unidades Básicas de Saúde de Juiz de Fora/MG

Abstract

Primary Health Care is an order of the Brazilian health care network, requiring systematic evaluation and monitoring of its efficacy and quality. Presence and extension of the atributes of Atenção Primaria à Saúde [Primary Health Care] are a fundamental factors once related to effectiveness of primary care services assistance. The current paper aims to present the evaluation of the attributes of Atenção Primaria à Saúde [Primary Health Care] from the point of view of medical professionals in basic health units in the city of Juiz de Fora, State of Minas Gerais. It is a cross-sectional study, executed using the PCATool - Brazil questionnaire, the health professionals’ version, and using socio-demographic questionnaire to characterize training profile, professional experience and performance at the Atenção Primaria à Saúde [Primary Health Care]. Participating in this research were physicians from units in the family health strategy, traditional and mixed. Scores were classified in general, essential and derived, for each atribute of Atenção Primaria à Saúde [Primary Health Care] (accessibility, longitudinality, coordenation, integration, familiar orientation and Community orientation). Avarage scores equal or higher than 6,6 indicate great service orientation to the attributes The averages in the general, essential and derived scores presented a mark considered satisfactory (≥ 6.6), although the professionals evaluated as unsatisfactory the accessibility attribute. Moreover, the longitudinality and care coordenation/integration attributes achieved unsatisfactory evaluation among professionals who had not attended some kind of specialization course in family medicine or related areas. The study demonstrates the need for investment in expansion and betterment of accessibility to the services, in the search for alternatives for valuing and fixing medical professionals at Atenção Primaria à Saúde [Primary Health Care], in addition to improving instruction and training of health professionals, in order to increase the resolution and quality of services. The aim of this study is to provide subsides so that Atenção Primaria à Saúde [Primary Health Care]in Juiz de Fora atributes may be discussed and measured by managers, health professionals and social control organisms, in Juiz de Fora, playing a hole in the increase of problem solving and quality of health services, thus contributing to users and health professionals satisfaction.