[Use of the family health record as a quality-of-care indicator in primary health care units]. / O uso do prontuário familiar como indicador de qualidade da atenção nas unidades básicas de saúde.

Expansion of the Family Health Program in Brazil requires indicators to evaluate the consistency of the approach actually adopted and the program's underlying principles. Together with the family health chart, the family health history (medical genealogy) allows improved follow-up of the clientele's health and the quality of care provided. This study used the family health chart based on external evaluation (accreditation) of family health teams and managers. The results showed variation in the health charts' conformity to the accreditation standard according to the nature of the function evaluated. The study showed the importance of external evaluation to signal the level of conformity to the required standards, suggesting the need to operate with a combined indicator, including internal and external evaluation of family health data as a management instrument.

O uso do prontuário familiar como indicador de qualidade da atenção nas unidades básicas de saúde / Use of the family health record as a quality-of-care indicator in primary health care units

A expansão da estratégia do Programa Saúde da Família no Brasil torna necessária a construção de indicadores que avaliem a coerência da abordagem efetivamente realizada e os princípios que regem o programa. Associado ao prontuário familiar, o familiograma (genograma) possibilita melhoria no acompanhamento da saúde da clientela e na qualidade da atenção prestada. A pesquisa utiliza o prontuário familiar com base na avaliação externa (acreditação) das equipes de saúde da família e dos gestores. Os resultados mostram uma variação da conformidade do prontuário com o padrão de acreditação segundo a natureza da função avaliada. O estudo revela a importância da avaliação externa como sinalizadora do nível de conformidade aos padrões requeridos, sugerindo a necessidade de operar um indicador combinado entre a avaliação interna e externa das informações familiares como instrumento de gestão.

Expansion of the Family Health Program in Brazil requires indicators to evaluate the consistency of the approach actually adopted and the program's underlying principles. Together with the family health chart, the family health history (medical genealogy) allows improved follow-up of the clientele's health and the quality of care provided. This study used the family health chart based on external evaluation (accreditation) of family health teams and managers. The results showed variation in the health charts' conformity to the accreditation standard according to the nature of the function evaluated. The study showed the importance of external evaluation to signal the level of conformity to the required standards, suggesting the need to operate with a combined indicator, including internal and external evaluation of family health data as a management instrument.