[Utility of an information system for primary care]

INDICATORS AND INFORMATION IN LOCAL HEALTH PLANNING: THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE FAMILY HEALTH STRATEGY NURSES

ABSTRACT This study aimed to analyze the use of health indicators from the Primary Care Information System by Family Health Strategy nurses in the planning of local health action. It is a multiple case study, whose data were collected by documentary research, nonparticipant observation and semistructured interviews held with eight nurses from the teams selected, analyzed using the technique of combined thematic summary. The results evidenced the health indicators used, the health information, and criticisms made of the computerized information system. The nurses use the health indicators in planning activities related to the Family Health Strategy, but use other sources of data in order to complement the information. For them, the instrument is restricted and limited, as it is necessary to broaden the information referent to the health indicators and regionalize the instrument in order to better attend the community.