Influences of the program for access and quality improvement in work processes in primary care

Abstract

Objective: To assess the perception of professionals of Family Health Strategy Teams on the National Program for Access and Quality Improvement in Primary Care and the possible changes in the work processes resulting from its implementation. Method: Oral history methodology conducted with members of Basic Health Units' teams who participated in the first two cycles of the Program in Sao Paulo. Results: Six team members participated in the research. The professionals described the use of information to support the planning, diverged on the changes in the organization of the service and identified contributions to the direction of the teams and the control of the activities. The implementation of the Program led to changes in professional practice and favored autonomy and teamwork. The Community Health Workers stood out in the information acquisition process, and the teams found difficulties to organize the information. The collection and retrieval of information contributed to broaden the professionals' view of the service, and the interviewees criticized the fragility of information dissemination in the Units. Conclusion: Despite its limitations, the Program led to direct improvements in the work of the teams in Primary Care.