Work process for coordination of care in the Family Health Strategy

Abstract

Objective To understand the work process of Family Health Strategy teams in the coordination of care, highlighting factors involved in this coordination. Method Qualitative study based on the attributes of care coordination, carried out with 18 care and management professionals between January and March 2020. Results Three final themes emerged: “Care plan”; “Standardization of practices”; and “Dialogical communication at different levels of care”. The pattern of responses points to the fragmentation of care and weakens coordination mechanisms. The exposure of restrictive factors related to the meso- and macro-organizational levels of the municipal health system reverberates in the ability of teams to coordinate care. Conclusion and implications for practice The coordination of care faces obstacles related to the work process of teams and structural issues in the organization of the health network. The contributions go beyond care and management, reaching education, research, and extension in professional training. Permanent education enables reorientations to guarantee the flow of users in the care network and provide comprehensive care to the population.