Actor-networks and their influences on the informatization of primary healthcare in Brazil

Abstract

Drawing on the Actor–Network theory, this study investigated networks of actors and their influence on the informatization of Primary Healthcare. The cartography of controversies method was used, involving the observation and interviewing of actors from the municipal, regional, state, and federal spheres, together with the collection of published documents. The data was analyzed using the software Gephi and the selection of extracts from the interviews based on the actor–network approach. The mapped network is woven between humans and nonhumans in the different spheres of government. Policies and obligations were shaped into the guiding principles of informatization, pressuring professionals and managers to adapt processes and weave agreements to enable informatization, yet with little success. It is concluded that circumstantial translations in the different spheres of government influence the informatization of primary care in the pursuit of success, but have not yet proved effective for such purpose.