Primary care as the preferred entry door to the health care network. Perception of residents assisted by a community project

Abstract

Introduction: Primary Health Care (PHC) constitutes preferential access to the Unified Health System (SUS), as it represents the first level of health care in the service network. Approximately 80 to 85% of health needs can be resolved by teams working at this level of care. However, for this care resolution to be fulfilled, it is essential that the population is aware that PHC is the preferred gateway to the SUS. When access to services occurs in this hierarchy, a possible overload on services with greater technological complexity is avoided due to the care of users with problems that could have been solved in PHC. Objective: This present study aims to verify the perception of residents assisted by the “Community Project” about the possible reasons for not using PHC as a preferred gateway to the Health Care Network (RAS). Methodology: Quantitative research was carried out. The data sampled residents of the localities Itakamosi and Massambará, in the municipality of Vassouras, and residents of the Prata da Ponte and Plante Café neighborhoods, in the municipality of Miguel Pereira, who participate in the “Community Project”. The research was developed using a structured instrument and adapted to the questionnaire made by Paes KSM, Nascimento JC, Negrini LO 10. Results and discussion: The sample was composed of 84 residents, with the majority of participants attaching high importance to the hospital compared to the Primary Care and the Emergency Care Unit. When asked about the ability of the Basic Health Unit to solve their problems and those of their families, 44% judged it to be high, 50% medium and 6% low. Regarding the correct definition of the Unified Health System, it was chosen by only 58.3% of participants, the others stated that they did not know the definition of the SUS and its functioning or chose the wrong option. Conclusion: The results obtained indicate that, despite there being a reasonable appreciation of the UBS's ability to resolve health issues, there is still a portion of the population that may underestimate or not fully recognize the fundamental role of Primary Care, which creates an overload of professionals. other levels of Health Care.