Popular Health Clinics from the perspective of entrepreneurs and representatives of the medical profession

Abstract

The objective is to understand the perspective of entrepreneurs from Popular Health Clinics (PHC) and representatives of the medical profession on services offered by the sector; impacts resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic; and future of the medical job market. This is a qualitative research, in the area of collective health, focused on social representations. Semi-structured interviews were carried out, from March to July 2021, with four local entrepreneurs and three representatives of the medical profession from a municipality in the Northeast region of Brazil. PHC offer assistance services restricted to consultations and exams and with financialized logic strategies. The PHC are presented as an “alternative” to the SUS, a supposed “gap” between private health plans and public services, and as a “new” medical work. Companies offer consultations with specialists at “popular” prices and without a waiting list. The assistance provided is restricted and professionals have no guarantee of labor rights. For those interviewed, access to healthcare represents geographic and temporal accessibility of services at a reduced price. The universal right to health and SUS principles are confronted with the defense of the autonomy of clients and professionals targeting their needs: health and work.