Tool to measure workload of health professionals in primary health care: Development and validation

Abstract

Objective: To develop and validate an instrument that addresses the interventions/activities carried out by the family health team as reference for staff planning. Method: Methodological research developed in stages: instrument development, content validation, and pilot test in three units located in the southeastern region of Brazil. Results: 39 interventions were validated in a single instrument to measure workload for clinician, dental surgeon, oral health technician/assistant, nurse, nurse assistant, and community health agent. In the pilot test, the instrument contained 100% of the interventions observed and the observers reached 93.7% agreement. Conclusion: The proposed instrument is an innovating tool because of its configuration for health team and supports staff planning in primary health care.