Organizational accessibility: Barriers to continuity of care in primary health care

Abstract

Objective to analyze accessibility to a Family Health Center. Method: qualitative research in the form of case study, carried out in a Family Health Center from a township in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, from February to July 2012. Results: the team does not take responsibility for the users’ reception, which interferes in accessibility; miscommunication between staff and users, and the fact that professionals do not welcome the users undermines the staff’s ability to solve the users’ needs; it was identified that absenteeism was related to a lack of listening and to the absence of personalized care; professionals do not commit to handling the cases. However, lines of care are being created. Conclusions: it is necessary to qualify the reception and service offer, to strengthen the internal organization of the Unit and to invest in the communication between staff and users and with other units, establishing care flows and articulated networks.

Keywords

• atenção primária à saúde