What can a policy do? Challenging the implementation of the more doctors program based on the experience of a Brazilian city

Abstract

We aim to problematize the implementation of the More Doctors Program based on the experience of a Brazilian city. Using encounter as method, we present affections/reflections emerging from conversations with doctors and other actors involved with the program. The devices for the program operation proved insufficient considering this controversial/conflicting policy. Each municipality implements and takes advantage of the program in its own way, creating or not conjunctures, giving sustainability and potentiating its effects. Adverse situations revealed the fragility of the devices regarding sustainability. The invisibility of the policy and the weaknesses of the devices in the implementation is noted and problematized. The program is an important federal initiative to improve healthcare, especially for the most vulnerable, but it is threatened and weakened after the Cuban doctors’ departure. For that reason is key to debate its potentialities and weaknesses.