Co-tutorship process with high-risk children: an evaluation of the Rede Mãe Paranaense

Abstract

Objective: to understand how the co-tutorship between primary health care and the referral outpatient clinic from the Mother Network from Paraná (Rede Mãe Paranaense) in the follow up of high-risk children. Methods: qualitative study carried out by understanding the process of co-tutorship between primary health care and the referral outpatient clinic of the Stork Network (Rede Cegonha) in the follow up of high-risk children. The study included 28 coordinators of primary health care and two representatives of the high-risk clinic. Data collection was carried out through interviews that were transcribed and underwent thematic category analysis according with Bardin's principles. Results: data analysis led to the creation of the category Communication between primary health care and outpatient clinics: outcomes of the (dis)continuity of care to high-risk children. It became clear that the process of co-tutorship has weaknesses that prevent the provision of integral care. Conclusion: fragmented communication and lack of alignment between the services, in addition to not acting like co-tutors as they provide care to children and their families lead to shortcomings in the attention provided. Contributions to practice: the study allowed for the identification of weaknesses that can be crucial for future interventions in the high risk childcare network.

Keywords

• continuity of patient care; referral and consultation; health information exchange; primary health care; child health.
• information exchange; primary health care; child health.