Análise estratégica sobre a organização de rede assistencial especializada em região de saúde do Rio Grande do Sul

[Manager profile and practices of county health management in the Unified Health System (SUS) according to population size in the municipalities of the Rio Grande do Sul state]

This study intended to gather who are the county health managers and the practices performed in management. It is based on a cross-sectional design. The methodology involved the use of electronic questionnaire, which was sent to the health departments of the 497 municipalities of the state of Rio Grande do Sul (RS). Of these, 297 were answered (59.75%). However, only those with more than 50% of valid answers (n = 264) were included in the statistical analysis. The analysis included the calculation of the distribution of variables and chi-square testes, taking population size as an independent variable. Most managers were women; graduated; from different professional backgrounds; average age of 43.76 years-old, and white. The average health expenditure in the municipalities was ≈ 20% of revenues. There was a consensus on the insufficiency of resources. With regards to population size, 79.92% presented with ≤ 20,000 inhabitants. Statistically significant differences were found in the management of municipalities of different sizes, both in terms of priorities and difficulties. The study allowed to partially understanding the reality of municipal management. These results indicate the need to further investigate the feminization of health management, working process assessment, and the impacts of economical austerity policy.

Regionalization in the Brazilian Healthcare System, SUS: a critical review

Objective

to review the output and the use of the data to support managers in making decisions on the healthcare system, and analyze academic output on the theme.

Method

An online search of the SciELO database for articles using 'regionalization' and 'health/healthcare' as the keywords, and all indices as the 'scope of the study'. We found a total of 102 references, and after analyzing the abstracts selected 70 articles that effectively discuss regionalization of health/healthcare in Brazil. We also found four articles in non-health related journals.

Analysis

the institutional criteria (journal, theme area, date of publication, scope and number of authors), and the analytical criteria created by author - Type 1 - "Exploratory Studies" (26), "Evaluation Studies" (6), "Comparison Studies" (3); and "Reports of Experience" (5), Type 2 - "Theoretical-Analytical" papers (20) and "Historical-Conceptual Reviews" (4), and Type 3 - "Editorials (3) and "Book Reviews" (3).

Findings

regionalization has become more important in journals published since 2010. Most of the articles fall in the Type 1 category.

Coap and SUS Regionalization: the various implementation patterns in the Brazilian states

This paper analyzes the implementation process of the Public Action Organizational Contract (Coap) and its impacts on state agendas of SUS regionalization, comparing the different institutional reactions of the states to the strategy proposed by Decree 7.508/11. The comparison of developing dynamics of state agendas took as reference a normative baseline structured in eight strategic political-institutional moments in the implementation of the Coap in accordance with the logic defined in Decree 7.508/11. We collected data through a questionnaire containing 35 questions (1 open, 25 closed and 9 mixed) and extensive documentary research in 2013 and 2014 in all states, except for the Federal District. Results showed that state agendas were distributed around three differentiated developing patterns: six states maintained greater distance from the national agenda established by Decree 7.508/11, engaging in a very fragmented way; 12 states engaged in the Coap agenda, selectively focusing on specific moments or stages, strengthening the process they have been developing; and 10 states maintained greater performance regularity during the eight moments of the Coap implementation cycle.

The Regionalization Process in Brazil: influence on Policy, Structure and Organization dimensions

Abstract Objectives: to analyze the influence and performance on Policy, Structure and Organization dimensions in the regionalization process in five health regions in Brazil. Methods: a quantitative, cross-sectional study using primary data from 217 fulfilled interviews with managers, service providers and representatives of society in five health regions in Brazil. Calculation on the Influence Index that measures the contribution level of three dimensions in regionalization. Results: after analyzing the three dimensions that influence the regionalization process separately, it is necessary to point out that there is a better performance on the Policy dimension in front of all the others; on the other hand, Structure dimension shows itself to be feeble, configuring a real obstacle to progress the regionalization process; Organization occupies an intermediate place in all the regions of the study. The insufficient availability of physical, human and financial resources impedes to advance the regionalization and the achievement of its major objectives, which are the integration of services and coordination care. Conclusions: regionalization follows an uncertain path and without clear direction of its objectives, goals and deployed instruments. The Regional planning, in the case of health, is still a theoretical exercise.