From Alma-Ata to Astana: the path of Primary Health Care in Portugal, 1978-2018 and the genesis of Family Medicine. / De Alma-Ata a Astana: o percurso dos Cuidados de Saúde Primários em Portugal,1978-2018 e a génese da Medicina Familiar.

Throughout the twentieth century, the profound changes that have taken place in Medicine can only be wholly explained if observed from a historical perspective, for they have always occurred in response to external influences, some scientific and technological, others of a social nature. Modern Family Medicine is one of the many new disciplines that have developed during medical history, and we critically discuss the last 40 years of primary health care in Portugal, which started in 1971, long before the Alma-Ata Declaration (1978). Along the way, in 2005, the Primary Health Care Reform emerges in Portugal, along with the new family health facilities, which until September 2019, attended about 94 % of Portuguese citizens, i.e., 9,5 million people. At the end of this course, in solidarity and voluntarily, this Reform inspired another one in Brazil, in Rio de Janeiro, in 2009. Finally, we present the challenges pointed out in the 2018 Astana Declaration, among them, the issue of the workforce in primary health care as an essential factor for the performance and sustainability of health systems.

Ao longo século XX, as profundas alterações que ocorreram na Medicina apenas podem ser completamente esclarecidas se forem observadas numa perspectiva histórica, pois elas sempre ocorreram em resposta a influências externas, umas científicas e tecnológicas, outras de ordem social. A moderna Medicina Familiar é uma das muitas disciplinas novas que se desenvolveram durante o curso da história da Medicina e aqui debatemos de forma crítica, os últimos 40 anos dos cuidados primários em saúde em Portugal, começando em 1971, mesmo antes da Declaração de Alma-Ata (1978). Ao longo do percurso, em 2005, surge a Reforma dos Cuidados Primários em Saúde em Portugal e as novas unidades de saúde familiar, que até setembro de 2019 atendiam cerca de 94% dos cidadãos portugueses, ou seja, mais de nove milhões e meio de pessoas. No final dessa trajetória, de forma solidária e voluntária, esta Reforma serviu de inspiração para outra, no Brasil, na cidade do Rio de Janeiro, em 2009. Por fim, apresentamos os desafios apontados na Declaração de Astana de 2018, dentre elas, a questão da força de trabalho nos cuidados de saúde primários, como fator essencial para o desempenho e a sustentabilidade dos sistemas de saúde.

De Alma-Ata a Astana: o percurso dos Cuidados de Saúde Primários em Portugal, 1978-2018 e a génese da Medicina Familiar / From Alma-Ata to Astana: the path of Primary Health Care in Portugal, 1978-2018 and the genesis of Family Medicine

Resumo Ao longo século XX, as profundas alterações que ocorreram na Medicina apenas podem ser completamente esclarecidas se forem observadas numa perspectiva histórica, pois elas sempre ocorreram em resposta a influências externas, umas científicas e tecnológicas, outras de ordem social. A moderna Medicina Familiar é uma das muitas disciplinas novas que se desenvolveram durante o curso da história da Medicina e aqui debatemos de forma crítica, os últimos 40 anos dos cuidados primários em saúde em Portugal, começando em 1971, mesmo antes da Declaração de Alma-Ata (1978). Ao longo do percurso, em 2005, surge a Reforma dos Cuidados Primários em Saúde em Portugal e as novas unidades de saúde familiar, que até setembro de 2019 atendiam cerca de 94% dos cidadãos portugueses, ou seja, mais de nove milhões e meio de pessoas. No final dessa trajetória, de forma solidária e voluntária, esta Reforma serviu de inspiração para outra, no Brasil, na cidade do Rio de Janeiro, em 2009. Por fim, apresentamos os desafios apontados na Declaração de Astana de 2018, dentre elas, a questão da força de trabalho nos cuidados de saúde primários, como fator essencial para o desempenho e a sustentabilidade dos sistemas de saúde.

Abstract Throughout the twentieth century, the profound changes that have taken place in Medicine can only be wholly explained if observed from a historical perspective, for they have always occurred in response to external influences, some scientific and technological, others of a social nature. Modern Family Medicine is one of the many new disciplines that have developed during medical history, and we critically discuss the last 40 years of primary health care in Portugal, which started in 1971, long before the Alma-Ata Declaration (1978). Along the way, in 2005, the Primary Health Care Reform emerges in Portugal, along with the new family health facilities, which until September 2019, attended about 94 % of Portuguese citizens, i.e., 9,5 million people. At the end of this course, in solidarity and voluntarily, this Reform inspired another one in Brazil, in Rio de Janeiro, in 2009. Finally, we present the challenges pointed out in the 2018 Astana Declaration, among them, the issue of the workforce in primary health care as an essential factor for the performance and sustainability of health systems.

[Primary health care reform in Portugal, 2005-2018: the future and challenges of coming of age]. / A reforma da atenção primária à saúde em Portugal, 2005-2018: o futuro e os desafios da maturidade.

In order to reform Portugal's primary health care (PHC), the Ministry of Health planned a change that was launched in 2005 and 2006, and which is still under way today. This article aims to analyze PHC reform in Portugal according to different phases in its development, using Kingdon's multiple streams model to reflect on the evolution in the reform process and its future, from the perspective of a process that seeks to achieve universal access to health. The working methodology was a document and case study with a qualitative approach and evaluative dimensions. The study was based on material on PHC in Portugal, published both in Portugal and elsewhere. Kingdon's multiple streams model was used to explain the actual and contextual development of policies implemented during the PHC reform. Three phases were identified in the reform, each lasting about five years. The first phase, starting in 2005, featured family health units with a voluntary basis. The second phase began in 2010, with the model's consolidation. In the third phase, since 2015 and still under way, the model came of age, benefiting from the end of the financial crisis but still suffering from its effects. The three reform cycles represent three distinct periods with consistency in the coalition that the policymaker was able to establish, in which the windows of opportunity for internally built change were heavily influenced by external factors. The article identifies the contribution by PHC reform to improvement of the Portuguese population's health status.

Com o intuito de reformar a atenção primária à saúde (APS), o Ministério da Saúde planejou uma mudança que teve o seu avanço no período entre 2005 e 2006, e que se desenvolve até aos nossos dias. O objetivo deste artigo é enquadrar a reforma da APS em Portugal por diferentes fases de desenvolvimento, utilizando o modelo de fluxos múltiplos de Kingdon para refletir sobre a evolução do processo reformador e o seu futuro, na perspetiva do processo que busca alcançar o acesso universal à saúde. Como metodologia de trabalho, utiliza-se o estudo documental e de caso, de orientação qualitativa e com dimensões avaliativas. O estudo baseou-se em material publicado, nacional e internacionalmente, sobre a APS em Portugal. O modelo de fluxos múltiplos de Kingdon é utilizado para explicar o desenvolvimento concreto e contextual das políticas iniciadas durante a reforma da APS. Foram identificadas três fases da reforma, cada uma com duração de cerca de 5 anos: na primeira, a partir de 2005, surgiram as unidades de saúde familiar de constituição voluntária. Na segunda fase, iniciada em 2010, houve a consolidação do modelo. Em uma terceira fase, desde 2015 e que ainda acontece, há o amadurecimento do modelo, aproveitando o final da crise financeira, mas ainda suportando as suas sequelas. Os três ciclos de reforma representam três períodos distintos de coerência da coalizão que o empreendedor político foi capaz de estabelecer, cujas janelas de oportunidade para a mudança, internamente construídas, foram sobejamente influenciadas por fatores externos. Assinala-se a contribuição que a reforma da APS deu para a melhoria do estado de saúde da população portuguesa.

Con el fin de reformar la atención primaria de salud (APS), el Ministerio de Salud planificó una transformación que tuvo su arranque durante el período entre 2005 y 2006, y que se desarrolla hasta nuestros días. El objetivo de este artículo es enmarcar la reforma de la APS en Portugal dentro de diferentes fases de desarrollo, utilizando el modelo de flujos múltiples de Kingdon, con el fin de reflexionar sobre la evolución del proceso reformador y su futuro, desde la perspectiva del proceso que pretende alcanzar el acceso universal a la salud. Como metodología de trabajo, se utiliza el estudio documental y de caso, de orientación cualitativa y con dimensiones evaluativas. El estudio se basó en el material publicado, nacional e internacionalmente, sobre la APS en Portugal. El modelo de flujos múltiples de Kingdon se utiliza para explicar el desarrollo concreto y contextual de las políticas puestas en marcha durante la reforma de la APS. Se identificaron tres fases de la reforma, cada una con una duración de cerca de 5 años: en la primera fase, a partir de 2005, surgieron las unidades de salud familiar de constitución voluntaria. En la segunda fase, iniciada en 2010, se produce la consolidación del modelo. En una tercera fase, desde 2015 y que todavía transcurre, se produce la madurez del modelo, aprovechando el final de la crisis financiera, pero todavía soportando sus secuelas. Los tres ciclos de reforma representan tres períodos distintos de coherencia de la asociación que el emprendedor político fue capaz de establecer, cuyas ventanas de oportunidad para el cambio, internamente construido, fueron influenciadas sobradamente por factores externos. Asimismo, se señala la contribución que la reforma de la APS significó para la mejora del estado de salud de la población portuguesa.

A reforma da atenção primária à saúde em Portugal, 2005-2018: o futuro e os desafios da maturidade / Primary health care reform in Portugal, 2005-2018: the future and challenges of coming of age / La reforma de la atención primaria de salud en Portugal, 2005-2018: su futuro y sus desafíos ante la madurez

Resumo: Com o intuito de reformar a atenção primária à saúde (APS), o Ministério da Saúde planejou uma mudança que teve o seu avanço no período entre 2005 e 2006, e que se desenvolve até aos nossos dias. O objetivo deste artigo é enquadrar a reforma da APS em Portugal por diferentes fases de desenvolvimento, utilizando o modelo de fluxos múltiplos de Kingdon para refletir sobre a evolução do processo reformador e o seu futuro, na perspetiva do processo que busca alcançar o acesso universal à saúde. Como metodologia de trabalho, utiliza-se o estudo documental e de caso, de orientação qualitativa e com dimensões avaliativas. O estudo baseou-se em material publicado, nacional e internacionalmente, sobre a APS em Portugal. O modelo de fluxos múltiplos de Kingdon é utilizado para explicar o desenvolvimento concreto e contextual das políticas iniciadas durante a reforma da APS. Foram identificadas três fases da reforma, cada uma com duração de cerca de 5 anos: na primeira, a partir de 2005, surgiram as unidades de saúde familiar de constituição voluntária. Na segunda fase, iniciada em 2010, houve a consolidação do modelo. Em uma terceira fase, desde 2015 e que ainda acontece, há o amadurecimento do modelo, aproveitando o final da crise financeira, mas ainda suportando as suas sequelas. Os três ciclos de reforma representam três períodos distintos de coerência da coalizão que o empreendedor político foi capaz de estabelecer, cujas janelas de oportunidade para a mudança, internamente construídas, foram sobejamente influenciadas por fatores externos. Assinala-se a contribuição que a reforma da APS deu para a melhoria do estado de saúde da população portuguesa.

Abstract: In order to reform Portugal's primary health care (PHC), the Ministry of Health planned a change that was launched in 2005 and 2006, and which is still under way today. This article aims to analyze PHC reform in Portugal according to different phases in its development, using Kingdon's multiple streams model to reflect on the evolution in the reform process and its future, from the perspective of a process that seeks to achieve universal access to health. The working methodology was a document and case study with a qualitative approach and evaluative dimensions. The study was based on material on PHC in Portugal, published both in Portugal and elsewhere. Kingdon's multiple streams model was used to explain the actual and contextual development of policies implemented during the PHC reform. Three phases were identified in the reform, each lasting about five years. The first phase, starting in 2005, featured family health units with a voluntary basis. The second phase began in 2010, with the model's consolidation. In the third phase, since 2015 and still under way, the model came of age, benefiting from the end of the financial crisis but still suffering from its effects. The three reform cycles represent three distinct periods with consistency in the coalition that the policymaker was able to establish, in which the windows of opportunity for internally built change were heavily influenced by external factors. The article identifies the contribution by PHC reform to improvement of the Portuguese population's health status.

Resumen: Con el fin de reformar la atención primaria de salud (APS), el Ministerio de Salud planificó una transformación que tuvo su arranque durante el período entre 2005 y 2006, y que se desarrolla hasta nuestros días. El objetivo de este artículo es enmarcar la reforma de la APS en Portugal dentro de diferentes fases de desarrollo, utilizando el modelo de flujos múltiples de Kingdon, con el fin de reflexionar sobre la evolución del proceso reformador y su futuro, desde la perspectiva del proceso que pretende alcanzar el acceso universal a la salud. Como metodología de trabajo, se utiliza el estudio documental y de caso, de orientación cualitativa y con dimensiones evaluativas. El estudio se basó en el material publicado, nacional e internacionalmente, sobre la APS en Portugal. El modelo de flujos múltiples de Kingdon se utiliza para explicar el desarrollo concreto y contextual de las políticas puestas en marcha durante la reforma de la APS. Se identificaron tres fases de la reforma, cada una con una duración de cerca de 5 años: en la primera fase, a partir de 2005, surgieron las unidades de salud familiar de constitución voluntaria. En la segunda fase, iniciada en 2010, se produce la consolidación del modelo. En una tercera fase, desde 2015 y que todavía transcurre, se produce la madurez del modelo, aprovechando el final de la crisis financiera, pero todavía soportando sus secuelas. Los tres ciclos de reforma representan tres períodos distintos de coherencia de la asociación que el emprendedor político fue capaz de establecer, cuyas ventanas de oportunidad para el cambio, internamente construido, fueron influenciadas sobradamente por factores externos. Asimismo, se señala la contribución que la reforma de la APS significó para la mejora del estado de salud de la población portuguesa.

Primary Health Care Reform in the cities of Lisbon and Rio de Janeiro: context, strategies, results, learning and challenges. / Reforma dos Cuidados Primários em Saúde na cidade de Lisboa e Rio de Janeiro: contexto, estratégias, resultados, aprendizagem, desafios.

On the 30th anniversary of Alma-Ata, the World Health Organization published in 2008 the "Primary Health Care Now More Than Ever" Report, calling on all governments to reflect on the need to reflect on four sets of reforms. These included: (i) universal coverage reforms; (ii) service delivery reforms; (iii) public policies reforms that would ensure healthier communities; and (iv) leadership reforms. In this context, in the period 2005-2016, the cities of Rio de Janeiro and Lisbon developed a profound primary healthcare reform, and did so by sharing many of the solutions based on the best internationally recognized organizational practices. Several factors were fundamental throughout Lisbon and Rio de Janeiro's path of reforms, namely: (i) teamwork with professional motivation; (ii) internal and external communication; (iii) strengthening of training activities; (iv) investment in facilities and equipment; (v) commitment to the information system and computerization; (vi) pay-for-performance; (vii) health care contractualisation between funders and providers; (viii) technical leadership; (ix) political leadership; and finally (x) quality and accreditation of facilities by public agency.

The voice of Primary Care patients in the Lisbon and Tagus Valley region of Portugal. / A voz dos utilizadores dos cuidados de saúde primários da região de Lisboa e Vale do Tejo, Portugal.

This article was the result of a study aimed at determining the degree of user satisfaction with the care provided in the 125 Family Health Units (Unidades de Saúde Familiar - USF) and in some of the 127 Personalized Health Care Units (Unidades de Cuidados de Saúde Personalizados - UCSP) of the Region of Lisbon and Tagus Valley (LVT). A total of 20,118 questionnaires were distributed and 16,965 received (89.0% response rate). The data collection instrument used was the Europep questionnaire, essentially measuring four dimensions: medical care, non-medical care, organization of care and quality of premises. 65.3% of the respondents were women, the average age was 50.8 years, 35% had a maximum of six years of schooling, and to 5.2% this had been their first contact. There was an overall average satisfaction of 77.4%, higher in what regards the care and attention provided by professionals. Women had slightly lower satisfaction than men, the same as for the younger compared to the older ones. Those with less literacy were the ones that presented better satisfaction rates. USF had always more satisfaction than the UCSP, and models B a satisfaction greater than models A. Users penalize units with more than 12 GP and there was a great regional disparity.

A voz dos utilizadores dos cuidados de saúde primários da região de Lisboa e Vale do Tejo, Portugal / The voice of Primary Care patients in the Lisbon and Tagus Valley region of Portugal

Resumo Este artigo resultou de um estudo com o objetivo de determinar o grau de satisfação dos utilizadores com os cuidados prestados nas 125 Unidades de Saúde Familiares (USF) e em algumas das 127 Unidades de Cuidados de Saúde Personalizados (UCSP) da Região de Lisboa e Vale do Tejo (LVT). Foram entregues 20.118 questionários e recebidos 16.965 (89,0% taxa de respostas). O instrumento de recolha de dados utilizado foi o questionário Europep, medindo essencialmente quatro dimensões: cuidados médicos, cuidados não médicos, organização dos cuidados e qualidade das instalações. 65,3% dos respondentes eram mulheres, a média etária atingiu os 50,8 anos, 35% tinham no máximo 6 anos de escolaridade e para 5,2% este tinha sido o seu primeiro contato. Verificou-se um valor médio global de satisfação de 77,4%, superior em relação aos cuidados e à atenção prestados pelos profissionais. As mulheres apresentaram uma satisfação ligeiramente menor do que a dos homens, o mesmo acontecendo aos jovens face aos mais idosos. As pessoas com menos habilitações literárias foram as que apresentaram melhores índices de satisfação. As USF tiveram sempre maior satisfação face às UCSP, com os modelos B com maior satisfação face aos modelos A. Os utilizadores penalizam as unidades com mais de 12 MF e verificou-se uma grande disparidade regional.

Abstract This article was the result of a study aimed at determining the degree of user satisfaction with the care provided in the 125 Family Health Units (Unidades de Saúde Familiar - USF) and in some of the 127 Personalized Health Care Units (Unidades de Cuidados de Saúde Personalizados - UCSP) of the Region of Lisbon and Tagus Valley (LVT). A total of 20,118 questionnaires were distributed and 16,965 received (89.0% response rate). The data collection instrument used was the Europep questionnaire, essentially measuring four dimensions: medical care, non-medical care, organization of care and quality of premises. 65.3% of the respondents were women, the average age was 50.8 years, 35% had a maximum of six years of schooling, and to 5.2% this had been their first contact. There was an overall average satisfaction of 77.4%, higher in what regards the care and attention provided by professionals. Women had slightly lower satisfaction than men, the same as for the younger compared to the older ones. Those with less literacy were the ones that presented better satisfaction rates. USF had always more satisfaction than the UCSP, and models B a satisfaction greater than models A. Users penalize units with more than 12 GP and there was a great regional disparity.

Reforma dos Cuidados Primários em Saúde na cidade de Lisboa e Rio de Janeiro: contexto, estratégias, resultados, aprendizagem, desafios / Primary Health Care Reform in the cities of Lisbon and Rio de Janeiro: context, strategies, results, learning and challenges

Resumo No aniversário de 30 anos de Alma-Ata, a Organização Mundial de Saúde publicou, em 2008, o Relatório "Primary Health Care Now More Than Ever" convocando todos os governos a refletirem sobre a necessidade de pensar em quatro conjuntos de reformas. Estes incluíam: (i) reformas da cobertura universal, (ii) reformas na prestação de serviços; (iii) reformas de políticas públicas que garantisse comunidades mais saudáveis, (iv) reformas de liderança. Neste contexto, as cidades do Rio de Janeiro e de Lisboa desenvolveram na área da atenção/cuidados primários, no período entre 2005/2016, uma profunda reforma mediante o compartilhamento de muitas das soluções baseadas nas melhores práticas organizacionais. No caminho percorrido pelas reformas lisboeta e carioca, diversos fatores foram fundamentais: (i) trabalho em equipe com motivação dos profissionais, (ii) comunicação interna e externa, (iii) fortalecimento das ações de formação, (iv) aposta nas instalações e equipamentos, (v) aposta no sistema de informação e na informatização, (vi) pagamento ligado ao desempenho, (vii) contratualização de cuidados de saúde entre financiadores e prestadores, (viii) liderança técnica, (ix) liderança política e, finalmente, (x) qualidade e acreditação das unidades por agência pública.

Abstract On the 30th anniversary of Alma-Ata, the World Health Organization published in 2008 the "Primary Health Care Now More Than Ever" Report, calling on all governments to reflect on the need to reflect on four sets of reforms. These included: (i) universal coverage reforms; (ii) service delivery reforms; (iii) public policies reforms that would ensure healthier communities; and (iv) leadership reforms. In this context, in the period 2005-2016, the cities of Rio de Janeiro and Lisbon developed a profound primary healthcare reform, and did so by sharing many of the solutions based on the best internationally recognized organizational practices. Several factors were fundamental throughout Lisbon and Rio de Janeiro's path of reforms, namely: (i) teamwork with professional motivation; (ii) internal and external communication; (iii) strengthening of training activities; (iv) investment in facilities and equipment; (v) commitment to the information system and computerization; (vi) pay-for-performance; (vii) health care contractualisation between funders and providers; (viii) technical leadership; (ix) political leadership; and finally (x) quality and accreditation of facilities by public agency.

Variable compensation in Primary Healthcare: a report on the experience in Curitiba, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and Lisbon, Portugal. / Remuneração variável na Atenção Primária à Saúde: relato das experiências de Curitiba e Rio de Janeiro, no Brasil, e de Lisboa, em Portugal.

How professionals are compensated may affect how they perform their tasks. Fixed compensation may take the form of wages, payment for productivity or capitation. In addition to fixed compensation, there are numerous mechanisms for variable compensation. This article describes the experience of Curitiba and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, and Lisbon in Portugal, using different models of performance-based compensation. In all three of these examples, management felt the need to offer monetary reward to achieve certain goals. The indicators analyzed the structure, processes and outcomes, and assessed professionals individual and as part of healthcare teams. In Lisbon, variable compensation can be as high as 40% of the base wage, while in Curitiba and Rio de Janeiro it is limited to 10%. Despite the growing use of this management tool in Brazil and the world, further studies are required to analyze the effectiveness of variable compensation.

Remuneração variável na Atenção Primária à Saúde: relato das experiências de Curitiba e Rio de Janeiro, no Brasil, e de Lisboa, em Portugal / Variable compensation in Primary Healthcare: a report on the experience in Curitiba, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and Lisbon, Portugal

Resumo A forma de remuneração dos profissionais pode ter implicação no modo como desempenham suas atividades. A remuneração fixa pode ser realizada por meio de salário, pagamento por produção ou por capitação. Além da remuneração fixa, diversos sistemas têm utilizado a variável. Neste artigo são apresentadas as experiências de Curitiba e do Rio de Janeiro, no Brasil, e de Lisboa, em Portugal, na utilização de diferentes modelos de pagamento por performance. Os gestores nesses três exemplos sentiram a necessidade de utilizar uma premiação monetária para alcançar determinados objetivos. Os indicadores analisam estrutura, processo e resultados e avaliam profissionais individualmente e equipes de saúde. Em Lisboa, o pagamento pode representar até 40% do vencimento base, enquanto em Curitiba e no Rio de Janeiro vai até 10%. Apesar da crescente utilização dessa ferramenta de gestão no Brasil e no mundo, mais estudos são necessários para avaliar a efetividade dessas iniciativas.

Abstract How professionals are compensated may affect how they perform their tasks. Fixed compensation may take the form of wages, payment for productivity or capitation. In addition to fixed compensation, there are numerous mechanisms for variable compensation. This article describes the experience of Curitiba and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, and Lisbon in Portugal, using different models of performance-based compensation. In all three of these examples, management felt the need to offer monetary reward to achieve certain goals. The indicators analyzed the structure, processes and outcomes, and assessed professionals individual and as part of healthcare teams. In Lisbon, variable compensation can be as high as 40% of the base wage, while in Curitiba and Rio de Janeiro it is limited to 10%. Despite the growing use of this management tool in Brazil and the world, further studies are required to analyze the effectiveness of variable compensation.

[Primary Healthcare Reform in Portugal on two fronts: autonomous family healthcare units and management of groupings of Health Centers]. / Reforma da Atenção Primária em Portugal em duplo movimento: unidades assistenciais autónomas de saúde familiar e gestão em agrupamentos de Centros de Saúde.

In 2005, Portugal began a reform of Primary Health Care. This reform process through to April 2010 is described and analyzed. During this period the Mission for Primary Health Care was responsible for conducting a profound reconfiguration. The main objectives for this reform were to improve accessibility, efficiency, quality and continuity of care and increase the satisfaction of professionals and citizens. The main features are voluntary adhesion, teamwork, mandatory information system, performance-sensitive payment, contracting and evaluation. The reconfiguration of health centers was two pronged. First, there was the formation of small autonomous functional units, known as Family Health Units (USF) providing services with proximity and quality. The second measure involved the aggregation of resources and management structures, groups of health centers (ACES), seeking to achieve efficiency and economies of scale. The FHU proved to offer simultaneously more efficiency, accessibility, better working environment, greater citizen satisfaction, namely better quality. The importance of strong political support, the creation of a structure responsible for the design and implementation of reform and good liaison with the media are stressed.

Reforma da Atenção Primária em Portugal em duplo movimento: unidades assistenciais autónomas de saúde familiar e gestão em agrupamentos de Centros de Saúde / Primary Healthcare Reform in Portugal on two fronts: autonomous family healthcare units and management of groupings of Health Centers

Analisa-se o processo de reforma da atenção primária à saúde (APS) em Portugal de 2005 a abril de 2010, período em que a Missão para os Cuidados de Saúde Primários teve a responsabilidade de conduzir essa profunda reconfiguração da APS Portuguesa. Os principais objectivos da reforma foram: melhorar a acessibilidade, eficiência, qualidade e continuidade dos cuidados e aumentar a satisfação dos profissionais e cidadãos. Suas principais características são a adesão voluntária, trabalho em equipa, existência obrigatória de sistema de informação, pagamento por desempenho, contratualização e avaliação. A reconfiguração dos centros de saúde obedeceu a um duplo movimento: por um lado, formação de pequenas unidades funcionais autónomas, as Unidades de Saúde Familiar (USF), prestando serviços com proximidade e qualidade; por outro lado, a agregação de recursos e estruturas de gestão, os agrupamentos de Centros de Saúde (ACES) visando a eficiência e economia de escala. As USF conseguiram simultaneamente mais eficiência, acessibilidade, melhor clima laboral, maior satisfação dos cidadãos, numa palavra, mais qualidade. Salienta-se a importância de um forte apoio político, da criação de uma estrutura responsável pelo desenho e implementação da reforma e de uma boa comunicação social.

In 2005, Portugal began a reform of Primary Health Care. This reform process through to April 2010 is described and analyzed. During this period the Mission for Primary Health Care was responsible for conducting a profound reconfiguration. The main objectives for this reform were to improve accessibility, efficiency, quality and continuity of care and increase the satisfaction of professionals and citizens. The main features are voluntary adhesion, teamwork, mandatory information system, performance-sensitive payment, contracting and evaluation. The reconfiguration of health centers was two pronged. First, there was the formation of small autonomous functional units, known as Family Health Units (USF) providing services with proximity and quality. The second measure involved the aggregation of resources and management structures, groups of health centers (ACES), seeking to achieve efficiency and economies of scale. The FHU proved to offer simultaneously more efficiency, accessibility, better working environment, greater citizen satisfaction, namely better quality. The importance of strong political support, the creation of a structure responsible for the design and implementation of reform and good liaison with the media are stressed.

Facilitating organisational development using a group-based formative assessment and benchmarking method: design and implementation of the International Family Practice Maturity Matrix.

INTRODUCTION: Well-organised practices deliver higher-quality care. Yet there has been very little effort so far to help primary care organisations achieve higher levels of team performance and to help them identify and prioritise areas where quality improvement efforts should be concentrated. No attempt at all has been made to achieve a method which would be capable of providing comparisons--and the stimulus for further improvement--at an international level. METHODS: The development of the International Family Practice Maturity Matrix took place in three phases: (1) selection and refinement of organisational dimensions; (2) development of incremental scales based on a recognised theoretical framework; and (3) testing the feasibility of the approach on an international basis, including generation of an automated web-based benchmarking system. RESULTS: This work has demonstrated the feasibility of developing an organisational assessment tool for primary care organisations that is sufficiently generic to cross international borders and is applicable across a diverse range of health settings, from state-organised systems to insurer-based health economies. It proved possible to introduce this assessment method in 11 countries in Europe and one in Africa, and to generate comparison benchmarks based on the data collected. The evaluation of the assessment process was uniformly positive with the view that the approach efficiently enables the identification of priorities for organisational development and quality improvement at the same time as motivating change by virtue of the group dynamics. CONCLUSIONS: We are not aware of any other organisational assessment method for primary care which has been 'born international,' and that has involved attention to theory, dimension selection and item refinement. The principal aims were to achieve an organisational assessment which gains added value by using interaction, engagement comparative benchmarks: aims which have been achieved. The next step is to achieve wider implementation and to ensure that those who undertake the assessment method ensure linkages are made to planned investment in organisational development and quality improvement. Knowing the problems is only half the story.

Prevalence of microalbuminuria in non-diabetic hypertensive patients attended by Portuguese GPs.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of microalbuminuria in a sample of non-diabetic hypertensive patients and to correlate the presence of microalbuminuria with the patients' different clinical profiles. DESIGN: A descriptive, observational, cross-sectional and non-interventional enquiry based on strict respect for the standard general practitioner's medical practice and the physician-patient relationship. SETTING: Portuguese general practitioners (GPs) who had participated in a preliminary opinion survey on evaluation of renal function in hypertensive patients. POPULATION: Non-diabetic uncontrolled and controlled hypertensive patients. METHOD: Data were collected via written questionnaires completed by physicians at inclusion. Standard biochemical and microalbuminuria tests were performed by the laboratory chosen by each physician following the laboratory's usual practice. A Micral-Test"* to detect microalbuminuria was also performed on a spot morning urine collection. RESULTS: Between May and October 2003, 531 general practitioners recruited 1582 non-diabetic hypertensive patients (58% female) with a mean age of 60.4 +/- 11.3 years; 11% of them were physically active and 10% were smokers. Almost all the patients (>95%) were under antihypertensive medication; 44% were also taking statins and 19% aspirin. Of the 1582 subjects, 57% (n=906) and 41% (n=652) had uncontrolled and controlled hypertension respectively, and 34% (n=539) had markers of renal function damage such as proteinuria, hematuria, microalbuminuria or albuminuria. Data for the Micral-Test were obtained in 98% of the patients and 29% (n=458) had a positive test. The mean albuminuria level was 12.34 +/- 37.88 mg/l. Seventy-six per cent of the patients (n=1196) had a normal urine test. Microalbuminuria was significantly more frequent in patients with uncontrolled (29%) than in controlled (20%) hypertension (p < 0.01), with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) (33%) than without (24%) (p < 0.01), with ventricular arrhythmias (35%) than without (25%) (p < 0.05) and with cerebral hemorrhage or transient ischemic attack (41%) than without (25%) (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study confirmed that microalbuminuria is a powerful discriminator of high cardiovascular risk, and is associated with higher BP values and higher prevalence of LVH, ventricular arrhythmias and cerebrovascular disease in non-diabetic hypertensive patients.