ABSTRACT
The Mais Médicos (More Doctors) Program (PMM) addresses shortages of doctors, one of whose objectives is to reduce regional inequalities in access to health care. This descriptive cross-sectional study evaluated service responsiveness and user satisfaction with PMM doctors among 263 users of the public health system in 32 municipalities with 20% or more of extreme poverty. Questionnaires of open and closed questions were used. Users were satisfied with patient-doctor relationships, information about diseases and treatment and the clarity and comprehensibility of medical indications. The doctors' technical and humanised conduct helped ensure satisfaction among users, who stressed the importance of the programme's continuance. As regards responsiveness, most users were pleased with the non-medical aspects of care: prompt scheduling of appointments, waiting times of less than one hour and privacy. Users suggested improving infrastructure and making more medicines and more doctors available, which should be considered by SUS managers to help ensure access to the right to health guaranteed in Brazil's constitution.
Subject(s)
Delivery of Health Care/standards , Government Programs , Patient Satisfaction , Physicians/supply & distribution , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Brazil , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Program Evaluation , Self Report , Workforce , Young AdultABSTRACT
Resumo A finalidade do Programa Mais Médicos é diminuir a carência de médicos e reduzir as desigualdades regionais no acesso à atenção à saúde. O estudo objetivou avaliar a satisfação dos usuários com os médicos do Programa e a responsividade destes serviços de saúde. Estudo transversal descritivo realizado em 32 municípios com 20% ou mais de extrema pobreza com 263 usuários dos serviços de saúde. Aplicou-se um questionário estruturado com perguntas abertas e fechadas. Os usuários expressaram satisfação quanto ao atendimento médico, às informações recebidas sobre a doença e o tratamento, e a clareza e a compreensão das indicações. O bom desempenho técnico e humanizado dos médicos contribuiu para a satisfação dos usuários que ressaltaram a importância da continuidade do programa. Na dimensão responsividade, a maioria dos usuários externou contentamento quanto aos aspectos não médicos do cuidado: rapidez no agendamento, tempo de espera inferior a uma hora e privacidade. As sugestões dos usuários de melhorias na infraestrutura, maior disponibilidade de medicamentos e presença de mais médicos, devem ser consideradas pelos gestores do Sistema Único de Saúde para avançar na garantia do direito constitucional de acesso à saúde no Brasil.
Abstract The Mais Médicos (More Doctors) Program (PMM) addresses shortages of doctors, one of whose objectives is to reduce regional inequalities in access to health care. This descriptive cross-sectional study evaluated service responsiveness and user satisfaction with PMM doctors among 263 users of the public health system in 32 municipalities with 20% or more of extreme poverty. Questionnaires of open and closed questions were used. Users were satisfied with patient-doctor relationships, information about diseases and treatment and the clarity and comprehensibility of medical indications. The doctors' technical and humanised conduct helped ensure satisfaction among users, who stressed the importance of the programme's continuance. As regards responsiveness, most users were pleased with the non-medical aspects of care: prompt scheduling of appointments, waiting times of less than one hour and privacy. Users suggested improving infrastructure and making more medicines and more doctors available, which should be considered by SUS managers to help ensure access to the right to health guaranteed in Brazil's constitution.
