Analysis of the enablers of capacities to produce primary health care-based reforms in Latin America: a multiple case study.

BACKGROUND: Primary health care (PHC)-based reforms have had different results in Latin America. Little attention has been paid to the enablers of collective action capacities required to produce a comprehensive PHC approach. OBJECTIVE: To analyse the enablers of collective action capacities to transform health systems towards a comprehensive PHC approach in Latin American PHC-based reforms. METHODS: We conducted a longitudinal, retrospective case study of three municipal PHC-based reforms in Bolivia and Argentina. We used multiple data sources and methodologies: document review; interviews with policymakers, managers and practitioners; and household and services surveys. We used temporal bracketing to analyse how the dynamic of interaction between the institutional reform process and the collective action characteristics enabled or hindered the enablers of collective action capacities required to produce the envisioned changes. RESULTS: The institutional structuring dynamics and collective action capacities were different in each case. In Cochabamba, there was an 'interrupted' structuring process that achieved the establishment of a primary level with a selective PHC approach. In Vicente López, there was a 'path-dependency' structuring process that permitted the consolidation of a 'primary care' approach, but with limited influence in hospitals. In Rosario, there was a 'dialectic' structuring process that favoured the development of the capacities needed to consolidate a comprehensive PHC approach that permeates the entire system. CONCLUSION: The institutional change processes achieved the development of a primary health care level with different degrees of consolidation and system-wide influence given how the characteristics of each collective action enabled or hindered the 'structuring' processes.

Comparing the performance of the public, social security and private health subsystems in Argentina by core dimensions of primary health care.

BACKGROUND: Most Latin American health systems are comprised of public (PubS), social security (SSS) and private (PrS) subsystems. These subsystems coexist, causing health care fragmentation and population segmentation. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the extent of subsystem cross-coverage in a geographically bounded population (Rosario city) and to compare the subsystems' performance on primary health care (PHC) dimensions. METHODS: Through a cross-sectional, interviewer-administered survey to a representative sample (n = 822) of the Rosario population, we measured the percentage of cross-coverage (people with usual source of care in one subsystem but also covered by another subsystem) and the health services' performance by core PHC dimensions, as reported by each subsystem's usual users. We compared the subsystems' performance using chi-square analysis and one-way analysis of variance testing. We analyzed whether the observed differences were coherent with the predominant institutional and organizational features of each subsystem. RESULTS: Overall, 39.3% of the population was affiliated with the PubS, 44.8% with the SSS and 15.9% with the PrS. Cross-coverage was reported by 40.6% of respondents. The performance of the PubS was weak on accessibility but strong on person-and-community-oriented care, the opposite of the PrS. The SSS combined the strengths of the other two subsystems. CONCLUSION: Rosario's health system has a high percentage of cross-coverage, contributing to issues of fragmentation, segmentation, financial inequity and inefficiency. The overall performance of the SSS was better than that of the PrS and PubS, though each subsystem had a particular performance pattern with areas of strength and weakness that were consistent with their institutional and organizational profiles.

[Financing, organization, costs and services performance of the Argentinean health sub-systems.] / Financiamiento, organización, costos y desempeño de los servicios de los subsistemas de salud argentinos.

OBJECTIVE:: To analyze the relationship between health system financing and services organization models with costs and health services performance in each of Rosario's health sub-systems. MATERIALS AND METHODS:: The financing and organization models were characterized using secondary data. Costs were calculated using the WHO/SHA methodology. Healthcare quality was measured by a household survey (n=822). RESULTS:: Public subsystem:Vertically integrated funding and primary healthcare as a leading strategy to provide services produced low costs and individual-oriented healthcare but with weak accessibility conditions and comprehensiveness. Private subsystem: Contractual integration and weak regulatory and coordination mechanisms produced effects opposed to those of the public sub-system. Social security: Contractual integration and strong regulatory and coordination mechanisms contributed to intermediate costs and overall high performance. CONCLUSION:: Each subsystem financing and services organization model had a strong and heterogeneous influence on costs and health services performance.

[Evaluation of the child component of the Buenos Aires Public Health Insurance]. / Evaluación del componente infantil del Seguro Público de Salud de la Provincia de Buenos Aires.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate if the Insurance strengthened the primary care role and enhanced healthcare access and comprehensiveness. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Through a household survey (n=2 413; year 2006) we collected data on utilization of health services by under 8 year old beneficiaries from 8 municipalities. We used hypothesis tests to identify significant differences between municipal profiles of Insurance implementation and beneficiaries grouped by utilization patterns. RESULTS: Although more than 95% of children received medical healthcare in each municipality (using the Insurance and other services), the Insurance utilization varied significantly by municipal profile. Access to comprehensive healthcare and consultation rates were significantly higher for those beneficiaries who used the Insurance along with other health services, compared with those who only used the Insurance services. Use of hospitals was significantly lower within Insurance users. CONCLUSION: The Insurance was more effective when implemented and used in conjunction with the municipal networks of health services.

[Building a PHC evaluation framework for Latin America]. / Construyendo un marco de evaluación de la atención primaria de la salud para Latinoamérica.

OBJECTIVE: To determinate the clarity, relevance and per tinence of a primary health care evaluation strategy for different Latin American health sub-systems. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This strategy was assessed using workshops held with decision makers and administrative managers from a public health organization, a social insurance and a private insurance health organization. The study took place in the province of Santa Fe (Argentina) between May 2006 and May 2007. RESULTS: The strategy was determined to be clear and relevant by all organizations, but highly applicable only in the public case. The social-insurance and private cases questioned the pertinence of objectives related to community participation, intersectoral actions and a focus on social determinants of health, in addition to considering it necessary to restrict the scope of ideas related to universal access and equity with regard to their client population. DISCUSSION: The evaluation of the pertinence of the strategy was explained by the particularities of the institutional context, as well as the goals and survival strategies used by each organization.

Governance and the effectiveness of the Buenos Aires public health insurance implementation process.

A multiple-case study was conducted to explain the relationship between the governance of the Buenos Aires Public Health Insurance (PHI) implementation process and its effectiveness in 8 municipalities. The heterogeneity in the effectiveness of PHI implementation was explained by the characteristics of the governance implementation process. The local health authorities' position on the PHI (favorable reception, formal acceptance, or rejection) influenced the nature of the articulation of the PHI within the municipal health system. Support for local management teams on the part of the municipal health and social development authorities affected the possibilities of implementing strategies to overcome unfavorable context-related conditions.

[Interaction between researchers and decision-makers: a case study]. / El proceso de interacción investigadores y tomadores de decisiones: un estudio de caso.

This article analyzes the process of interaction between the Instituto de la Salud Juan Lazarte research team and the Buenos Aires Public Health Insurance (PHI) management team during the design and development of the study titled "PHI Institutional Capability Analysis and Performance Evaluation", currently underway. From a cross-disciplinary perspective, examining different areas of interaction between the SPS management team and the research team, the relationship is characterized as an application of the "interaction model". This approach promotes the construction of interfaces that allow the development of negotiation and collaboration between the scientific and political "communities". Application of this model has produced changes in the conceptual and methodological framework and in substantive issues during implementation of the SPSMI.

[Litigation and the right to health in Argentina]. / Litigio judicial y el derecho a la salud en Argentina.

This article explores the characteristics of lawsuits for obtaining access to healthcare through the Argentine Supreme Court and reflects on the potential to influence health rights and equity in a context of growing litigation. An analysis of documents from 125 lawsuits with verdicts issued from 1994 to 2013 showed a majority of individual claims (88% of claimants were individual physical persons), and of claimants covered by social security or private insurance (64%) with typical private legal counsel (87% claiming coverage of a medical service). 75% of the verdicts simply ordered the provision of the claimed health services, without highlighting failures in the healthcare system or mandating measures to promote equity and guarantee the right to health for other persons subject to the same situation as the claimant. Thus far, litigation in health has failed to actively promote either health equity, the right to health, or inter-institutional dialogue.

[Concentration and inequalities in the financing of obras sociales after deregulation: a comparative analysis of the years 2004 and 2011]. / Concentración y desigualdades en el financiamiento de las obras sociales posdesregulación: un análisis comparativo de los años 2004 y 2011.

In Argentina, during the decade of the 1990s major changes were introduced into the regulatory framework of the national obras sociales, or union-based health coverage plans. Using data from the Federal Administration of Public Income (AFIP) [Administración Federal de Ingresos Públicos], this study evaluates for the years 2004 and 2011: a) the importance of obras sociales within the healthcare system, b) the degree of concentration of this health social security subsystem, and c) the inequalities in the availability of funds among the obras sociales and their beneficiaries. The results show an increased importance of obras sociales within the Argentine health system. The concentration of funds distributed to the most important institutions within the subsystem showed no change, while the concentration of contributors to these institutions slightly increased and that of beneficiaries decreased. Finally, a reduction of the inequalities in funds per beneficiary received by different institutions was observed. This trend can be explained, among other factors, by the attenuation of wage differentials between branches of economic activity and the actions of the so-called Solidarity Redistribution Fund.

Litigio judicial y el derecho a la salud enArgentina / Litigation and the right to health in Argentina

El propósito de este trabajo es explorar el perfil del litigio por el acceso a la atención de la salud, tramitado ante la Corte Suprema de Justicia Argentina, y reflexionar sobre su potencial para influir sobre la equidad y el derecho a la salud, en el marco de un proceso de crecimiento de la judicialización. Se llevó a cabo un análisis documental de 125 litigios con sentencias dictadas entre 1994 y 2013. Se observó una preeminencia de la reclamación individual (88% reclamantes personas físicas individuales), y de reclamantes afiliados a la seguridad social o a seguros privados (64%), con un esquema típico del derecho privado (87% reclama cobertura de un servicio médico). El 75% de los fallos ordenaron brindar los servicios de salud reclamados, sin visibilizar los fallos del sistema de salud, ni ordenar acciones para promover la equidad y garantizar el derecho a la salud, que alcancen a otras personas sometidas a la misma situación que el reclamante. La judicialización, hasta el momento, no está promoviendo activamente la equidad, el derecho a la salud y el diálogo interinstitucional (AU)

This article explores the characteristics of lawsuits for obtaining access to healthcare through the Argentine Supreme Court and reflects on the potential to influence health rights and equity in a context of growing litigation. An analysis of documents from 125 lawsuits with verdicts issued from 1994 to 2013 showed a majority of individual claims (88% of claimants were individual physical persons), and of claimants covered by social security or private insurance (64%) with typical private legal counsel (87% claiming coverage of a medical service). 75% of the verdicts simply ordered the provision of the claimed health services, without highlighting failures in the healthcare system or mandating measures to promote equity and guarantee the right to health for other persons subject to the same situation as the claimant. Thus far, litigation in health has failed to actively promote either health equity, the right to health, or inter-institutional dialogue (AU)

O propósito deste trabalho é explorar o perfil do litígio pelo acesso à atenção da saúde tramitado ante a Suprema Corte de Justiça Argentina, e refletir sobre seu potencial para influir sobre a equidade e o direito à saúde, no marco de um processo de crescimento da judicialização. Levou-se a cabo uma análise documentária de 125 litígios com sentenças ditadas entre 1994 e 2013. Observou-se uma preeminência do reclamo individual (88% dos reclamantes são pessoas físicas individuais), e de reclamantes filiados à segurança social ou a seguros privados (64%) com um esquema típico do direito privado (87% reclamam cobertura de um serviço médico). Os 75% das sentenças ordenaram brindar os serviços de saúde reclamados, sem dar visibilidade às falhas do sistema de saúde nem ordenar ações para promover a equidade e garantir o direito à saúde que atinjam a outras pessoas submetidas à mesma situação que o reclamante. A judicialização, até o momento, não promove ativamente a equidade, o direito à saúde e o diálogo interinstitucional (AU)

Litigio judicial y el derecho a la salud en Argentina / Litigation and the right to health in Argentina / Litígio judicial e o direito à saúde na Argentina

Resumen El propósito de este trabajo es explorar el perfil del litigio por el acceso a la atención de la salud, tramitado ante la Corte Suprema de Justicia Argentina, y reflexionar sobre su potencial para influir sobre la equidad y el derecho a la salud, en el marco de un proceso de crecimiento de la judicialización. Se llevó a cabo un análisis documental de 125 litigios con sentencias dictadas entre 1994 y 2013. Se observó una preeminencia de la reclamación individual (88% reclamantes personas físicas individuales), y de reclamantes afiliados a la seguridad social o a seguros privados (64%), con un esquema típico del derecho privado (87% reclama cobertura de un servicio médico). El 75% de los fallos ordenaron brindar los servicios de salud reclamados, sin visibilizar los fallos del sistema de salud, ni ordenar acciones para promover la equidad y garantizar el derecho a la salud, que alcancen a otras personas sometidas a la misma situación que el reclamante. La judicialización, hasta el momento, no está promoviendo activamente la equidad, el derecho a la salud y el diálogo interinstitucional.

Abstract This article explores the characteristics of lawsuits for obtaining access to healthcare through the Argentine Supreme Court and reflects on the potential to influence health rights and equity in a context of growing litigation. An analysis of documents from 125 lawsuits with verdicts issued from 1994 to 2013 showed a majority of individual claims (88% of claimants were individual physical persons), and of claimants covered by social security or private insurance (64%) with typical private legal counsel (87% claiming coverage of a medical service). 75% of the verdicts simply ordered the provision of the claimed health services, without highlighting failures in the healthcare system or mandating measures to promote equity and guarantee the right to health for other persons subject to the same situation as the claimant. Thus far, litigation in health has failed to actively promote either health equity, the right to health, or inter-institutional dialogue.

Resumo O propósito deste trabalho é explorar o perfil do litígio pelo acesso à atenção da saúde tramitado ante a Suprema Corte de Justiça Argentina, e refletir sobre seu potencial para influir sobre a equidade e o direito à saúde, no marco de um processo de crescimento da judicialização. Levou-se a cabo uma análise documentária de 125 litígios com sentenças ditadas entre 1994 e 2013. Observou-se uma preeminência do reclamo individual (88% dos reclamantes são pessoas físicas individuais), e de reclamantes filiados à segurança social ou a seguros privados (64%) com um esquema típico do direito privado (87% reclamam cobertura de um serviço médico). Os 75% das sentenças ordenaram brindar os serviços de saúde reclamados, sem dar visibilidade às falhas do sistema de saúde nem ordenar ações para promover a equidade e garantir o direito à saúde que atinjam a outras pessoas submetidas à mesma situação que o reclamante. A judicialização, até o momento, não promove ativamente a equidade, o direito à saúde e o diálogo interinstitucional.

Financiamiento, organización, costos y desempeño de los servicios de los subsistemas de salud argentinos / Financing, organization, costs and services performance of the Argentinean health sub-systems

Resumen: Objetivo: Analizar la relación entre modelos de financiamiento y la organización con costos y desempeño de los servicios de los subsistemas de salud de Rosario,Argentina. Material y métodos: Los modelos de financiamiento y organización se caracterizaron utilizando información secundaria. Se calcularon los costos utilizando la metodología SHA/ OMS. Se midió el desempeño con una encuesta poblacional (n=822). Resultados: Subsistema público: financiamiento integrado verticalmente y servicios organizados desde la estrategia de atención primaria contribuyeron a bajos costos y alto desempeño en continuidad y orientación de la atención con debilidades en accesibilidad e integralidad. Subsistema privado: integración contractual y débiles mecanismos de regulación y coordinación condujeron a resultados opuestos a los del subsistema público. Seguridad social: integración contractual y fuertes mecanismos de regulación y coordinación contribuyeron a costos intermedios y un alto desempeño general. Conclusiones: El modelo de financiamiento y organización tiene una fuerte influencia sobre los costos y el desempeño de los servicios.

Abstract: Objective: To analyze the relationship between health system financing and services organization models with costs and health services performance in each of Rosario's health sub-systems. Materials and methods: The financing and organization models were characterized using secondary data. Costs were calculated using the WHO/SHA methodology. Healthcare quality was measured by a household survey (n=822). Results: Public subsystem:Vertically integrated funding and primary healthcare as a leading strategy to provide services produced low costs and individual-oriented healthcare but with weak accessibility conditions and comprehensiveness. Private subsystem: Contractual integration and weak regulatory and coordination mechanisms produced effects opposed to those of the public sub-system. Social security: Contractual integration and strong regulatory and coordination mechanisms contributed to intermediate costs and overall high performance. Conclusion: Each subsystem financing and services organization model had a strong and heterogeneous influence on costs and health services performance.

Concentración y desigualdades en el financiamiento de las obras sociales posdesregulación: un análisis comparativo de los años 2004 y 2011 / Concentration and inequalities in the financing of obras sociales after deregulation: a comparative analysis of the years 2004 and 2011

RESUMEN En Argentina, durante la década de 1990 se introdujeron grandes cambios en el marco regulatorio de las obras sociales nacionales. A partir de datos de la Administración Federal de Ingresos Públicos, el presente estudio compara para los años 2004 y 2011: a) el peso de las obras sociales dentro del sistema de salud argentino; b) el grado de concentración de este subsistema de la seguridad social en salud; y c) la desigualdad en la disponibilidad de fondos per cápita entre obras sociales y beneficiarios. Los resultados revelan un incremento de la importancia de las obras sociales dentro del sistema de salud; la cantidad de instituciones se mantuvo prácticamente invariante y la concentración de los fondos distribuidos en las entidades más importantes del subsistema no muestra cambios, mientras que la de cotizantes aumenta levemente y disminuye la de beneficiarios. Además, se registró una reducción en las desigualdades en los fondos por beneficiario, la cual podría estar asociada a la atenuación de las diferencias salariales entre los diferentes sectores de la economía y al accionar del Fondo Solidario de Redistribución.

ABSTRACT In Argentina, during the decade of the 1990s major changes were introduced into the regulatory framework of the national obras sociales, or union-based health coverage plans. Using data from the Federal Administration of Public Income (AFIP) [Administración Federal de Ingresos Públicos], this study evaluates for the years 2004 and 2011: a) the importance of obras sociales within the healthcare system, b) the degree of concentration of this health social security subsystem, and c) the inequalities in the availability of funds among the obras sociales and their beneficiaries. The results show an increased importance of obras sociales within the Argentine health system. The concentration of funds distributed to the most important institutions within the subsystem showed no change, while the concentration of contributors to these institutions slightly increased and that of beneficiaries decreased. Finally, a reduction of the inequalities in funds per beneficiary received by different institutions was observed. This trend can be explained, among other factors, by the attenuation of wage differentials between branches of economic activity and the actions of the so-called Solidarity Redistribution Fund.

[Governance of PHC development in Rosario, Argentina]. / Gobernanza del desarrollo de la APS en Rosario, Argentina.

OBJECTIVE: Describing the development of PHC policy as promoted by Rosario Municipality (Argentina). METHODS: A case-study was carried out during 2007 and 2008. Data was collected from secondary and primary sources (interviews, organisational census and observations). PHC development stages were identified by recognising the social norms which produced institutional change and transformation in municipal health services structure and health care and management models. The prevailing modes of governance in each stage were reconognised and characterised (clan, hierarchy and/or incentives). RESULTS: Four stages were identified between 1990 and 2008: 1990-1995/hierarchical mode: primary health care level organisation autonomied from hospitals. 1995-2000/ clan mode: developing of participatory managerial boards and community participation. 2000-2004/ clan mode: maturation of the "PHC movement" in competition with hospitals. 2004-2008/ clan-hierarchical mode: "movement's" crisis and constructions of norms tending towards enhancing an integrated network. DISCUSSION: Strengthening and empowering first-level health-care produced innovation favouring: the consolidation of a "PHC movement" having strong social commitment and improved services performance. The clan governance mode (regulating collective action via voluntary adhesion to shared values) was crucial for developing PHC between 1995 and 2004. Later on, the movement's fragmentation and the challenges of integrating the health system required developing hierarchical regulation mechanisms to complement the governance clan mode regulation.

[A framework for evaluating primary health care in Latin America]. / Un marco de evaluación de la atención primaria de salud en América Latina.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the relevancy of applying the Canadian primary health care (PHC) assessment strategy to Latin America and to propose any modifications that might be needed for reaching a consensus in Latin America. METHODS: The Delphi method was used to reach a consensus among 29 experts engaged in PHC development or evaluation in Latin America. Four virtual sessions and a face-to-face meeting were held to discuss the PHC evaluation logic model and the seven goals and six conditioning factors that make up the Canadian strategy, as well as any questions regarding the evaluation and indicators. The relevance of each concept was ranked according to the perspective of the Latin American countries. RESULTS: The experts considered the Canadian strategy's objectives and conditioning factors to be highly relevant to assessing PHC in Latin America, though they acknowledged that additional modification would increase relevance. The chief suggestions were to create a PHC vision and mission, to include additional objectives and conditioning factors, and to rework the original set. The objectives that concerned coordination and integrated comprehensive care did not achieve a high degree of consensus because of ambiguities in the original text and multiple interpretations of statements regarding certain aspects of the evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: Considerable progress was made on the road to building a PHC evaluation framework for the Region of the Americas. Indicators and information-gathering tools, which can be appropriately and practically applied in diverse contexts, need to be developed.

Evaluación del componente infantil del Seguro Público de Salud de la Provincia de Buenos Aires / Evaluation of the child component of the Buenos Aires Public Health Insurance

OBJETIVO: Evaluar si el Seguro Público de Salud de la Provincia de Buenos Aires fortaleció el papel del primer nivel de atención y mejoró el acceso y la integralidad de la atención. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: En 2006 se realizó una encuesta domiciliaria en ocho municipios (n=2 413). Se recolectó información sobre utilización de servicios entre beneficiarios del Seguro Público de Salud menores de ocho años. Se aplicaron pruebas de hipótesis para captar diferencias significativas entre beneficiarios con distintos patrones de uso de servicios y perfiles municipales de implementación del Seguro. RESULTADOS: Más de 95% de los beneficiarios recibieron atención utilizando el Seguro u otros servicios. El uso del Seguro varió significativamente entre perfiles municipales. Los beneficiarios que utilizaron el Seguro y otros servicios lograron una mayor integralidad de la atención y acceso a consultas médicas que quienes utilizaron el Seguro exclusivamente. El uso de hospitales fue significativamente menor entre usuarios del Seguro. CONCLUSIONES: El Seguro fue más efectivo al estar articulado con la red de servicios municipales.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate if the Insurance strengthened the primary care role and enhanced healthcare access and comprehensiveness. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Through a household survey (n=2 413; year 2006) we collected data on utilization of health services by under 8 year old beneficiaries from 8 municipalities. We used hypothesis tests to identify significant differences between municipal profiles of Insurance implementation and beneficiaries grouped by utilization patterns. RESULTS: Although more than 95% of children received medical healthcare in each municipality (using the Insurance and other services), the Insurance utilization varied significantly by municipal profile. Access to comprehensive healthcare and consultation rates were significantly higher for those beneficiaries who used the Insurance along with other health services, compared with those who only used the Insurance services. Use of hospitals was significantly lower within Insurance users. CONCLUSION: The Insurance was more effective when implemented and used in conjunction with the municipal networks of health services.

Incorporação dos conhecimentos da Saúde Coletiva pelos gestores de saúde na Argentina. O caso dos serviços de saúde de Rosario / Incorporation of Knowledge in Public Health by the Health Services Managers in Argentina. The Case of the Health Services in Rosario

Este ensaio busca refletir sobre uma estratégia de utilização do conhecimento pelos gestores de serviços municipais de saúde na cidade de Rosário (Argentina), através da articulação de processos de pesquisa e formação de gestores de serviços de saúde com os processos políticos e institucionais de mudanças na organização do sistema de serviços de saúde. A geração das condições de integração demandou esforços significativos de adaptação: mudanças dos atores envolvidos para facilitar a legitimidade e a comunicação entre academia e serviços de saúde, desenvolvimento de novos conteúdos e metodologias adaptadas aos problemas existentes e produção de estratégias ativas de divulgação de pesquisas a partir de uma ampla gama de trabalhadores. Os níveis de flexibilidade necessária e a magnitude dos esforços investidos tanto pelos produtores quanto pelos usuários do conhecimento devem ser interpretadas no contexto da complexidade política que atravessa os sistemas de saúde na América Latina, onde a gestão dos serviços influencia tanto o conhecimento cognitivo, na distribuição de recursos (energia e dinheiro), bem como sobre os resultados substantivos oferecidos à população.

Gobernanza del desarrollo de la APS en Rosario, Argentina / Governance of PHC development in Rosario, Argentina

Objetivo Describir el desarrollo de la política de APS promovida por el municipio de Rosario. Métodos Se condujo un estudio de caso durante 2007 y 2008. Se recogieron datos de fuentes secundarias y primarias (entrevistas, censo organizacional y observaciones). Se identificaron etapas del desarrollo de la APS a partir del reconocimiento de las normas sociales que produjeron cambios institucionales y de la estructura, modelo de gestión y atención de los servicios de salud municipales. Se reconocieron y caracterizaron los modos de gobernanza (clan, jerárquico y/o incentivos) prevalecientes en cada etapa. Resultados Se identificaron entre 1990 y 2008 cuatro etapas: 1990-1995/modo jerárquico: organización del primer nivel de atención con autonomía de los hospitales. 1995-2000/modo clan: desarrollo de los colegiados de gestión y la participación comunitaria. 2000-2004/modo clan: maduración del "movimiento de APS" en competencia con hospitales. 2004-2008/modo clan-jerárquico: crisis del "movimiento" y construcción de normas tendientes hacia el fortalecimiento de una red integrada. Discusión El fortalecimiento y empoderamiento del primer nivel de atención produjo innovaciones que favorecieron: la consolidación de un "movimiento de APS" con fuerte compromiso social y una mejora en el desempeño de los servicios. El modo de gobernanza de clan (regulación de la acción colectiva a partir de la adhesión voluntaria a valores compartidos) fue crucial para el desarrollo de la APS entre 1995 al 2004. Más tarde, la fragmentación del movimiento y los desafíos de mejorar la integración del sistema requirieron del desarrollo de mecanismos de regulación jerárquicos complementarios al modo de clan.

Objetive Describing the development of PHC policy as promoted by Rosario Municipality (Argentina). Methods A case-study was carried out during 2007 and 2008. Data was collected from secondary and primary sources (interviews, organisational census and observations). PHC development stages were identified by recognising the social norms which produced institutional change and transformation in municipal health services structure and health care and management models. The prevailing modes of governance in each stage were reconognised and characterised (clan, hierarchy and/or incentives). Results Four stages were identified between 1990 and 2008: 1990-1995/hierarchical mode: primary health care level organisation autonomied from hospitals. 1995-2000/ clan mode: developing of participatory managerial boards and community participation. 2000-2004/ clan mode: maturation of the "PHC movement" in competition with hospitals. 2004-2008/ clan-hierarchical mode: "movement’s" crisis and constructions of norms tending towards enhancing an integrated network. Discussion Strengthening and empowering first-level health-care produced innovation favouring: the consolidation of a "PHC movement" having strong social commitment and improved services performance. The clan governance mode (regulating collective action via voluntary adhesion to shared values) was crucial for developing PHC between 1995 and 2004. Later on, the movement’s fragmentation and the challenges of integrating the health system required developing hierarchical regulation mechanisms to complement the governance clan mode regulation.

Construyendo un marco de evaluación de la atención primaria de la salud para Latinoamérica / Building a PHC evaluation framework for Latin America

OBJETIVO: Determinar la claridad, relevancia y pertinencia de una estrategia de evaluación de la atención primaria de la salud en distintos subsistemas de salud. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: La estrategia fue evaluada mediante talleres con tomadores de decisiones y responsables de la gestión de los servicios de tres organizaciones de salud, cada una de ellas de uno de los siguientes subtemas: subsistema pública, seguridad social y privado. El estudio fue realizado entre mayo de 2006 y mayo de 2007 en la Provincia de Santa Fe (Argentina). RESULTADOS: La estrategia fue considerada clara y relevante de manera unámine, aunque sólo altamente pertinente por la organización pública. El seguro social y la aseguradora privada cuestionaron la pertinencia de evaluar el desarrollo de las acciones intersectoriales, la participación comunitaria y de considerar como parte del marco de evaluación a los determinantes de la salud. Asimismo consideraron necesario restringir a sus contribuyentes el alcance de las nociones de acceso universal y equidad en salud. DISCUSIÓN: La valoración de la pertinencia de la estrategia fue explicada como resultado de las particularidades del contexto institucional, así como de las metas y estrategias de supervivencia desplegadas por cada organización.

OBJECTIVE: To determinate the clarity, relevance and per tinence of a primary health care evaluation strategy for different Latin American health sub-systems. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This strategy was assessed using workshops held with decision makers and administrative managers from a public health organization, a social insurance and a private insurance health organization. The study took place in the province of Santa Fe (Argentina) between May 2006 and May 2007. RESULTS: The strategy was determined to be clear and relevant by all organizations, but highly applicable only in the public case. The social-insurance and private cases questioned the pertinence of objectives related to community participation, intersectoral actions and a focus on social determinants of health, in addition to considering it necessary to restrict the scope of ideas related to universal access and equity with regard to their client population. DISCUSSION: The evaluation of the pertinence of the strategy was explained by the particularities of the institutional context, as well as the goals and survival strategies used by each organization.