Challenges in Primary Care Regarding Children and Adolescents With Chronic Conditions in Brazil.

The coordination of primary care is pivotal to the management of chronic conditions. However, current systems may not be as efficient or effective as one would hope. This article addresses to the managers and health teams in the primary care setting and their challenges regarding children and adolescents with chronic conditions in Brazil. A qualitative study was conducted with 26 primary care professionals and managers using thematic content analysis. The results showed a scarcity of specialists for referrals and a lack of professional training for dealing with this specific group of patients. It is necessary to improve health information systems to ensure the continuity of care. Current health care of children and adolescents with chronic conditions is neither efficient nor effective. For this type of care to be comprehensive, the health needs of this population must be addressed and the operational structure of the health care network must be strengthened.

Care coordination in Health Care for the child/adolescent in chronic condition.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the care coordination for the child and adolescent in chronic condition and users planning in the Health Care Network. METHOD: Qualitative study, conducted with 26 health professionals and managers through Focus Groups. Thematic content analysis was used. RESULTS: Care coordination is fragile, with lack of support from the management, and presence of high turnover of managers and professionals. The limits in the network planning are due to frequent changes in the careflow. Communication between levels of care and lack of counter-referral makes network care unfeasible. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: There is a need for planning in the Health Care Network and establishment of careflow, as well as the construction of communication channels and tools of referral and counter-referral between professionals and services, for the constitution and integration of the network from the perspective of user-centered care.

Care coordination in Health Care for the child/adolescent in chronic condition / Coordinación del cuidado en la Atención de Salud al niño/adolescente en condición crónica / Coordenação do cuidado na Atenção à Saúde à(ao) criança/adolescente em condição crônica

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the care coordination for the child and adolescent in chronic condition and users planning in the Health Care Network. Method: Qualitative study, conducted with 26 health professionals and managers through Focus Groups. Thematic content analysis was used. Results: Care coordination is fragile, with lack of support from the management, and presence of high turnover of managers and professionals. The limits in the network planning are due to frequent changes in the careflow. Communication between levels of care and lack of counter-referral makes network care unfeasible. Final considerations: There is a need for planning in the Health Care Network and establishment of careflow, as well as the construction of communication channels and tools of referral and counter-referral between professionals and services, for the constitution and integration of the network from the perspective of user-centered care.

RESUMEN Objetivo: analizar la coordinación del cuidado al niño y al adolescente en condición crónica y el ordenamiento de esos usuarios en la Red de Atención de Salud. Método: Estudio cualitativo, realizado con 26 profesionales de salud y gestores por medio de grupos focales. Se utilizó el análisis temático de contenido. Resultados: La coordinación del cuidado se encuentra frágil, con falta de apoyo de la gestión, y presencia de alta rotatividad de los gestores y profesionales. Los límites en el ordenamiento de la red proceden de cambios frecuentes en el flujo de atención. La comunicación entre los niveles de atención y la falta de contrarreferencia inviabiliza el cuidado en red. Consideraciones finales: Es necesario ordenar la Red de Atención de Salud y establecer el flujo de atención, así como la construcción de canales de comunicación e instrumentos de referencia y contrarreferencia entre los profesionales y servicios, para la constitución e integración de la red en la perspectiva del cuidado centrado en el usuario.

RESUMO Objetivo: analisar a coordenação do cuidado à criança e ao adolescente em condição crônica e o ordenamento desses usuários na Rede de Atenção à Saúde. Método: Estudo qualitativo, realizado com 26 profissionais de saúde e gestores por meio de grupos focais. Utilizou-se a análise temática de conteúdo. Resultados: A coordenação do cuidado encontra-se frágil, com falta de apoio da gestão, e presença de alta rotatividade dos gestores e profissionais. Os limites no ordenamento da rede decorrem de mudanças frequentes no fluxo de atendimento. A comunicação entre os níveis de atenção e a falta de contrarreferência inviabiliza o cuidado em rede. Considerações finais: Há necessidade de ordenamento da Rede de Atenção à Saúde e estabelecimento de fluxo de atendimento, bem como a construção de canais de comunicação e instrumentos de referência e contrarreferência entre os profissionais e serviços, para constituição e integração da rede na perspectiva do cuidado centrado no usuário.