Motivações dos usuários em condições sensíveis à Atenção Primária à Saúde na busca por uma Unidade Básica de Atendimento Imediato

Abstract

Conditions Sensitive to Primary Health Care represent health problems addressed by actions typical of the first level of care which, in the absence of timely and effective care, are susceptible to hospitalization. Primary Health Care must guarantee satisfactory and appropriate access, hence the need to expand coverage, so that conditions sensitive to Primary Health Care are not referred to medium and high complexity levels. This study aims to understand the motivations of users in Primary Health Care Sensitive Conditions in the search for an Immediate Basic Care Unit. Methodologically, this is a qualitative, descriptive and exploratory study. The data collection began in March 2023, shortly after the research was approved by the Research Ethics Committee, with individuals using a mixed health service that provides urgent care and primary care, who were waiting for reception. The study participants were nine individuals with ages ranging between 18 and 78 years old, five female participants and four male participants. The data collection technique was semi-structured interviews, using a recorder and transcription of the interviews in their entirety. Data processing was carried out using thematic analysis. The analysis categories were constructed, reflecting the different phases of content analysis and two themes were produced: “Motivations of users with conditions sensitive to Primary Health Care who sought the Basic Immediate Care Unit” and “Users' perception of care offered in the health service”. The first theme demonstrated that users seek immediate care services for acute and chronic conditions, to which they are sensitive in Primary Health Care. It was observed that the main reasons for seeking a Basic Immediate Care Unit include vaccination, routine exams, electrocardiograms, clinical case situations, referral to specialists, insomnia, neuropsychiatric disorders, chest pain, digestive system burning, prescription refills, ear pain, and presenting clinical exam results. After identifying these reasons, the satisfaction of users with the care received was assessed. Contentment was expressed from the moment of reception to the approach of health professionals, as well as the fact that the health unit is welcoming and close to their homes. Furthermore, many users do not seek care exclusively because of a current illness, but rather in search of therapeutic listening that requires health attention, which highlights the welcoming environment provided by the Basic Unit. Therefore, this study demonstrated Health Care as a model that offers essential services aimed at promoting the health and well-being of its users, providing preventive and curative care, and adopting a multidisciplinary approach that recognizes its users as biopsychosocial individuals. However, there is still a need to broaden the discussion on the availability/access to services for health promotion and prevention strategies.