Context and organization of primary health care in remote rural communities in Northern Minas Gerais State, Brazil

Therapeutic itineraries of quilombola women in northern Minas Gerais, Brazil

Quilombolas are ethnic-racial groups, of black ancestry, and had their territories consolidated in Brazil in regions with difficult access and far from large centers. The objective of this study is to know the therapeutic itinerary (IT) adopted by quilombola women in traditional communities located in the North of the state of Minas Gerais. This is a qualitative study with the theoretical model using the Arthur Kleinman health care system. The study scenario was 23 quilombola communities in northern Minas Gerais. Forty quilombola women aged between 25 and 89 years were interviewed. Data analysis was performed following the IT. Units of analysis emerged that were grouped into three categories: quilombola women and the meaning of health and care; the professional care system in quilombola communities; and route of care in situations experienced by women. The therapeutic itinerary of the communities is mainly related to the actions of popular medicine. It was also possible to observe that there are weaknesses in relation to health care due to factors such as difficulty of access to institutionalized services.

Doctors’ Work in Primary Health Care in remote rural municipalities: where is the territory?

Abstract Resolute and comprehensive health care in remote rural municipalities (RRMs) requires Primary Health Care (PHC) with a strong community dimension anchored in the territory. This paper aims to analyze the performance profile of doctors in PHC, considering their work both in the territory and in PHC units. The perspective of doctors, critical agents in PHC, contributes to understanding whether there is an equitable and comprehensive availability of PHC. A qualitative study was carried out in 27 RRMs, with interviews with 46 Family Health doctors. Content analysis, structuring results in dimensions of arrangements in the performance of doctors in the territories and the organization of activities at the PHC units. Doctors concentrated their activities in the PHC units, primarily in municipal headquarters, with heterogeneous work agreements. Knowledge about the characteristics of the territory and the population was weak, especially those assigned at a considerable distance from municipal headquarters. In the rare work conducted within the territory, an itinerant and/or campaigning model was observed, with the mark of discontinuity. Walk-in patients were prioritized over care actions of follow-up and planning. The findings indicate the need to reinforce interaction with the territory in the provision of PHC services in RRMs.

Doctors' Work in Primary Health Care in remote rural municipalities: where is the territory?

Resolute and comprehensive health care in remote rural municipalities (RRMs) requires Primary Health Care (PHC) with a strong community dimension anchored in the territory. This paper aims to analyze the performance profile of doctors in PHC, considering their work both in the territory and in PHC units. The perspective of doctors, critical agents in PHC, contributes to understanding whether there is an equitable and comprehensive availability of PHC. A qualitative study was carried out in 27 RRMs, with interviews with 46 Family Health doctors. Content analysis, structuring results in dimensions of arrangements in the performance of doctors in the territories and the organization of activities at the PHC units. Doctors concentrated their activities in the PHC units, primarily in municipal headquarters, with heterogeneous work agreements. Knowledge about the characteristics of the territory and the population was weak, especially those assigned at a considerable distance from municipal headquarters. In the rare work conducted within the territory, an itinerant and/or campaigning model was observed, with the mark of discontinuity. Walk-in patients were prioritized over care actions of follow-up and planning. The findings indicate the need to reinforce interaction with the territory in the provision of PHC services in RRMs.

Barreiras de acessibilidade à atenção básica em assentamento em Pernambuco, Brasil, sob a ótica de camponesas, profissionais de saúde e gestão

São inegáveis as iniquidades envolvidas diretamente nos modos de nascer, viver, adoecer e morrer da população do campo. Para analisar a acessibilidade ao cuidado em saúde desse povo, consideramos quatro barreiras pertinentes à acessibilidade aos serviços de atenção básica: as geográficas, organizacionais, financeiras e de informação. O estudo objetivou evidenciar as barreiras de acessibilidade à atenção básica pela população de um assentamento em Pernambuco, Brasil, sob a perspectiva de assentadas, profissionais e gestão. Trata-se de uma pesquisa descritiva, transversal, qualitativa, do tipo caso único realizada em um assentamento de reforma agrária pernambucano e na unidade de saúde da família responsável pela assistência desse território. Um representante da gestão municipal em atenção básica foi entrevistado e dois grupos focais foram realizados, um com as assentadas e outro com os profissionais de saúde da equipe de saúde da família. Para a análise dos dados utilizou-se o método do Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo. As barreiras de acessibilidade geográfica evidenciaram distância entre unidade e assentamento sem a garantia de um transporte; as barreiras organizacionais expuseram alta demanda de usuários e estrutura física precária; as barreiras financeiras demonstraram ameaças do novo financiamento e condições socioeconômicas precárias da população; e as barreiras de informação revelaram a escassez da educação permanente e o preconceito associado às lacunas de comunicação entre profissionais e assentados. Ante às inúmeras barreiras de acessibilidade e suas consequências para a população do estudo, cabe avançar na adequação da atenção básica, com vistas a ampliar o acesso às necessidades de saúde evidenciadas.