Longitudinal Care Evaluation in Child Healthcare

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the essential attribute of Primary Health Care, longitudinal care, care directed at children from birth to two years old. Methods: This is a descriptive and exploratory study of evaluative character and quantitative approach, conducted with parents/caregivers of 186 children, younger than two years old, patients of primary health care services in the city of Santa Cruz/RN, Brazil. For data collection, the instrument Primary Care Assessment Tools (PCA Tools) was used, and the results of the questions dealing with longitudinal attribute were evaluated. The data were stored and processed in Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Health Sciences School of Trairí, under number 348896. Results: The mean age of children in months was 8.21; 84.4% (n = 157) were assisted by the same doctor/nurse every time; in 81.7% (n = 152) of cases the doctor/nurse know the full medical history of the child; 73.7% (n = 137) answered that the professional know their child more as a person than just as someone with a health problem; 48.9% (n = 91) stated that the doctor/nurse do not know their family very well; 86.6% (n = 161) reported finding the doctor/nurse understands what is saying or questioning; 96.2 (n = 179) of respondents said the doctor/nurse answers the questions so that they understand; 96.2% (n = 179) of the interviewed said they feel comfortable telling the concerns or problems of their child to the doctor/nurse; 66.7% (n = 124) claimed that they would not change the service/doctor/nurse to another health service. Conclusion: It is concluded that the attribute was well rated by the mothers of children seen in primary health care services and that they can establish good communication and relationship with the health professionals who treat their children.