Social appropriation of the brazilian national health system: Listening to the voices of users

Abstract

This investigation aimed to analyze the perceptions of users of the Brazilian National Health System (SUS) regarding social appropriation of this public health policy. In particular, it was sought to ascertain whether this met their needs and whether they were participating in processes for organizing and evaluating the healthcare system and services that they were using. This was a qualitative study among users of this system who had experienced an episode of hospitalization for conditions that were sensitive to primary care. The results were systematized via content analysis and were discussed in the light of critical hermeneutics and the reference framework of “Paidéia”. The findings demonstrated that the beneficiaries recognized SUS as a public policy, could describe its operational logic and benefits when they needed healthcare; and could state its effects, especially regarding creation of new care practices at primary care units after a hospitalization episode. However, there was no mention of participation in social control spaces.