Changes in the primary care policy and the (un)sustainability of the Family Health Strategy

Abstract

Primary Health Care is a strategic level of care for forming a sustainable health system that responds to diverse needs. This article analyzed federal regulation and its implications for establishing primary care teams in Brazil. Exploratory mixed methods research involves analyzing 25 federal ordinances and secondary data of national scope referring to the teams approved in the National Register of Health Establishments from 2017 to 2021. The results indicate changes in the direction of the policy regarding the configuration, funding, and accreditation of teams. There was an expansion of primary care teams, a reduction in community health agents, and a weakening of the Family Health Support Center. The results suggest that the incentives for other team arrangements, the flexibility of the coverage of the community agent, and the multidisciplinary action compromise the sustainability of the Family Health model in the Unified Health System.