Laboratory for innovation in Primary Health Care: implementation and results

Dinaci Vieira Marques Ranzi Maria Cristina Abrão Nachif Daniel Ricardo Soranz Priscila Maria Marcheti Mara Lisiane de Moraes dos Santos Alessandro Diogo De Carli About the authors

Abstract

This article presents and problematizes innovation actions aimed at improving the quality of Primary Health Care (PHC), describing an experience that can be adapted to different contexts, considering diverse sociodemographic, economic, cultural and epidemiological realities. We conducted an exploratory study using documentary sources referring to the implementation of the Campo Grande Laboratory for Innovation in Primary Health Care (INOVAAPS). The project proposes the reorientation of the care model adopted in the municipality’s public primary care services, redefining work processes and improving the quality of practice. We identified product, process and organizational innovations that have the potential to transform and tailor health care practices to the population’s health needs. It is concluded that the proposals implemented by the project focus on the consolidation and expansion of access to primary care, recruitment and training of adequately qualified health professionals, adoption of resolutive technologies, regulatory improvement, and strengthening the mediating role of primary health care.

Key words
Innovation; Primary Health Care; Family Health Strategy; Unified Health System; Brazil

Introduction

Innovation is the creation of new realities, to make something exist or give new meaning to something that already exists. Innovation can be stimulated, promoted and managed, gaining force in the application of knowledge and practices in the area of health11 Plonski GA. Inovação em transformação. Estud Av 2017; 31(90):7-21., as well as other sectors of the economy, such as government services22 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). European Statistical (Eurostat). Oslo Manual 2018: Guidelines for Collecting, Reporting and Using Data on Innovation. 4th ed. Luxembourg: OECD Publishing, Eurostat; 2019.. The analysis of organizational innovation has multiple benefits33 Nodari CH, Camargo ME, Olea PM, Dorion ECH, Claus SM. The framework of the practice of innovation in primary healthcare: a case study. Cien Saude Colet 2015; 20(10):3073-3086.. Including primary health care (PHC) in this analysis can therefore help to overcome challenges and implement changes to address gaps in a key sector of Brazil’s national health service, the Unified Health System (SUS, acronym in Portuguese).

The overriding PHC model in Brazil is the Family Health Strategy (FHS), which has received significant investment aimed at expanding population coverage for health care and reorganizing and improving the quality of primary care services44 Tasca R, Massuda A, Carvalho WM, Buchweitz C, Harzheim E. Recomendações para o fortalecimento da atenção primária à saúde no Brasil. Rev Panam Salud Publica 2020; 44:e4..

Despite ongoing efforts and clear advances in the expansion of coverage55 Santos MLM, Zafalon EJ, Bomfim RA, Kodjaoglanian VL, Moraes SHM, Nascimento DDG, Santos CAST, Souza AS, De Carli AD. Impact of distance education on primary health care indicators in central Brazil: An ecological study with time trend analysis. PLoS One 2019; 14(3):e0214485., important gaps exist in the organization and management of the SUS, including underfunding66 Massuda A, Hone T, Leles FAG, Castro MC, Atun R. The Brazilian health system at crossroads: progress, crisis and resilience. BMJ Glob Health 2018; 3(4):e000829., lack of basic equipment, variation in the profile of health professionals, barriers to the coordination of care, the existence of different management models77 Facchini LA, Piccini RX, Tomasi E, Thumé E, Teixeira VA, Silveira DS, Maia MFS, Siqueira FV, Rodrigues MA, Paniz VV, Osório A. Evaluation of the effectiveness of Primary Health Care in South and Northeast Brazil: methodological contributions. Cad Saude Pública 2008; 24(Supl. 1):S159-S172., and problems related to infrastructure, supplies and the qualification of health workers88 Zavatini MA, Obreli-Neto PR, Cuman RK. Estratégia saúde da família no tratamento de doenças crônicodegenerativas: avanços e desafios. Rev Gaucha Enferm 2010; 31(4):647-654.. These problems are aggravated by socioeconomic differences and health inequalities/inequities.

One of the factors influencing quality of care is the qualification health professionals for PHC99 Stein AT, Ferri CP. Inovação e avanços em atenção primária no Brasil: novos desafios. Rev Bras Med Fam Comunidade 2017; 12(39):1-4.. Evidence shows that family and community health training during residency and specialist training have a positive impact on health indicators, resulting in lower rates of hospitalization for ambulatory care sensitive conditions55 Santos MLM, Zafalon EJ, Bomfim RA, Kodjaoglanian VL, Moraes SHM, Nascimento DDG, Santos CAST, Souza AS, De Carli AD. Impact of distance education on primary health care indicators in central Brazil: An ecological study with time trend analysis. PLoS One 2019; 14(3):e0214485.,1010 Afonso MPD, Shimizu HE, Merchan-Hamann E, Ramalho WM, Afonso T. Association between hospitalisation for ambulatory care-sensitive conditions and primary health care physician specialisation: a cross- sectional ecological study in Curitiba (Brazil). BMJ Open 2017; 7(12):e015322., an increase in the registration and follow-up of patients with diabetes and high blood pressure55 Santos MLM, Zafalon EJ, Bomfim RA, Kodjaoglanian VL, Moraes SHM, Nascimento DDG, Santos CAST, Souza AS, De Carli AD. Impact of distance education on primary health care indicators in central Brazil: An ecological study with time trend analysis. PLoS One 2019; 14(3):e0214485., improvements in maternal and infant care and health indicators1111 Nascimento DDG, Moraes SHM, Santos CAST, Souza AS, Bomfim RA, De Carli AD, Kodjaoglanian VL, Santos MLM, Zafalon EJ. Impact of continuing education on maternal and child health indicators. PLoS One 2020; 15(6):e0235258., and stronger primary care orientation1212 Starfield B, Shi L, Macinko J. Contribution of Primary Care to Health Systems and Health. The Milbank Quarterly 2005; 83(3):457-502..

The challenges mentioned above demand capacity for continuous innovation in the formulation and implementation of public policies and care practices in the SUS. To this end, investment is needed in professional training, information and communications technologies1313 Pinto LF, Rocha CMF. Inovações na Atenção Primária em Saúde: o uso de ferramentas de tecnologia de comunicação e informação para apoio à gestão local. Cien Saude Colet 2016; 21(5):1433-1448.,1414 Pinto LF, Rocha CMF, Mallmann CL. O uso de blogs como ferramenta de apoio à gestão em saúde no nível local. Cien Saude Colet 2018; 23(10):3287-3296., and to improve working conditions and team dynamics, putting patients at the center of health care44 Tasca R, Massuda A, Carvalho WM, Buchweitz C, Harzheim E. Recomendações para o fortalecimento da atenção primária à saúde no Brasil. Rev Panam Salud Publica 2020; 44:e4..

The innovation process should begin with the concept of innovation as a response of the organization to the pressures of the environment in which it exists33 Nodari CH, Camargo ME, Olea PM, Dorion ECH, Claus SM. The framework of the practice of innovation in primary healthcare: a case study. Cien Saude Colet 2015; 20(10):3073-3086.. Based on this concept, the Laboratory for Innovation in Primary Health Care (INOVAAPS) was created in Campo Grande, the capital of Mato Grosso do Sul, to support practical science-based actions aimed at strengthening PHC in the city’s public health services, primarily through innovation in care technologies, management and communications.

In the face of a political and economic climate marked by fiscal austerity, undermining the principle of universal access, and the pressing need to strengthen PHC as the cornerstone of the SUS44 Tasca R, Massuda A, Carvalho WM, Buchweitz C, Harzheim E. Recomendações para o fortalecimento da atenção primária à saúde no Brasil. Rev Panam Salud Publica 2020; 44:e4., studies investigating innovation in PHC are essential to promote changes in service delivery and improvements in health policy, working towards the ultimate goal of improving health care33 Nodari CH, Camargo ME, Olea PM, Dorion ECH, Claus SM. The framework of the practice of innovation in primary healthcare: a case study. Cien Saude Colet 2015; 20(10):3073-3086..

INOVAAPS can be adapted to various contexts, considering different sociodemographic, economic, cultural and epidemiological realities. The aim of this study was to present and problematize the actions developed by the laboratory, highlighting the role this innovative strategy plays in improving the quality of PHC.

Method

This article comprises an experience report that draws on documentary sources covering the implementation of INOVAAPS in Campo Grande between March and October 2020. The original data is problematized to allow readers to associate what was planned and implemented in this municipality with other contexts, offering innovative alternatives that can inspire other actions in different realities.

We used the following documents produced up to October 2020 discussing innovation actions developed by INOVAAPS since the beginning of the project: a. the INOVAAPS project; b. management reports; c. presentations and debates from the I INOVAAPS Campo Grande Seminar, held in September 2020; and d. documents available on the INOVAAPS platform1515 Laboratório de Inovação na Atenção Primária à Saúde (INOVAAPS). [Internet]. 2020 [acessado 2020 out 20]. Disponível em: https://labinovaapsfiocruz.com.br/portal/#/.
https://labinovaapsfiocruz.com.br/portal...
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The data were organized and presented to show the project’s goals and objectives and the participating health centers and PHC teams. The goals, core actions and results were then analyzed in relation to the recommendations for strengthening PHC in Brazil proposed by Tasca et al.44 Tasca R, Massuda A, Carvalho WM, Buchweitz C, Harzheim E. Recomendações para o fortalecimento da atenção primária à saúde no Brasil. Rev Panam Salud Publica 2020; 44:e4..

Results

INOVAAPS Campo Grande was initiated in 2020. The city has a population of 895,982 inhabitants, representing around 32% the state population. With a population density of 104 inhabitants per sq. km, Campo Grande is the third largest and most developed urban center in the Center-West Region and Brazil’s 22nd largest city (IBGE, 2020)1616 Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE). Cidades e Estados [Internet]. 2020 [acessado 2020 out 20]. Disponível em: https://www.ibge.gov.br/cidades-e-estados/ms/campo-grande.html.
https://www.ibge.gov.br/cidades-e-estado...
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The local health system is relatively well structured in line with the majority of Ministry of Health guidelines and policies. It is an important referral center within the state health care network (HCN), providing primary, specialized, urgent and emergency, and hospital care services. However, the system has a number of shortcomings related to the achievement of the attributes of primary care, professional training and coverage of the FHS.

Based on this observation, the Campo Grande City Council Health Department (SESAU, acronym in Portuguese) sought support from the Ministry of Health via the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ) to plan and implement the changes necessary to address the above shortcomings. In July 2019, the three organizations signed a technical cooperation agreement aimed at supporting the development of strategic actions in the areas of PHC and health surveillance. The focus of these actions is institutional support, bringing together knowledge and experience to identify, analyze and develop interventions for essential PHC settings to improve resolvability and facilitate decision-making by health managers.

The project proposes a shift in the care model, redefining primary care work processes and improving the quality of practice and learning processes in everyday work, including residency programs. In this way, the project aims to produce knowledge and technologies that contribute to addressing the shortage of PHC professionals.

Figure 1 presents a flow diagram of the project’s core actions and overarching objective.

Figure 1
Project flow, actions and overarching objective.

Core goals were defined based on local demands, as shown in Chart 1.

Chart 1
Goals of the Laboratory for Innovation in Primary Health Care.

The settings for the implementation of the core actions comprise nine key primary care centers (PCCs) identified by SESAU to represent the diversity of the municipality’s seven health districts. The criteria used included shortcomings in the health region, extent of coverage of primary care teams and health region population density.

The nine participating PCCs and the number of existing teams in 2019 and number of new teams in 2020 in each center are shown in Table 1. As a result of the actions, coverage of the FHS increased from 52% before the project to 75% after the initiation of INOVAAPS.

Table 1
Participating Primary Care Centers, number of teams in 2019 and number of new teams after the initiation of the INOVAAPS project, Campo Grande-MS, 2020.

The core goals, actions and results achieved by INOVAAPS up to October 2020 are presented in relation to the recommendations for strengthening PHC in Brazil proposed by Tasca et al.44 Tasca R, Massuda A, Carvalho WM, Buchweitz C, Harzheim E. Recomendações para o fortalecimento da atenção primária à saúde no Brasil. Rev Panam Salud Publica 2020; 44:e4. (Chart 2).

Chart 2
Core goals, actions and results of the Laboratory for Innovation in Primary Health Care and the recommendations for strengthening PHC in Brazil.

A number of challenges were faced during the implementation of the innovation actions proposed by INOVAAPS, including relational, organizational and structural barriers that are common in processes of change. The following problems are worth highlighting: resistance of some managers and PHC professionals to change; disagreements between actors involved in the processes; difficulties in coordinating PHC with other services in the HCN; significant number of incomplete spreadsheets; excessive meetings; inconsistencies in user registration; difficulties in implementing the service portfolio and incorporating procedures not previously adopted in the municipality’s PHC services; difficulties related to training-service integration and the incorporation of residents into PHC teams; low resolvability rates in more complex cases; teamwork problems; and inadequate physical infrastructure and care center environments.

To overcome these obstacles, the project team focuses its efforts on the following: negotiation; frequent training and capacity building in diverse areas; encouraging teams to play an active role in promoting patient-centered care; developing viable alternatives for problem solving; reorganizing and optimizing the SISREG; the role of supporters; providing care management technologies and tools; matrix support; actions that bring together and promote interaction between family health, oral care and health surveillance teams and between PHC and other services across the HCN; strengthening management committees; and improving the physical infrastructure and environment of care settings. It is also important to stress that the actions described in Chart 2 also contribute to overcoming these challenges.

Discussion

The findings of this study demonstrate the importance of efforts to reorient health management, practices and investment in science, technology and innovation, even in services with consolidated policies. This is especially relevant in settings characterized by social, economic and demographic diversity permeated by technical, ethical and political specificities that promote the effectiveness of interventions33 Nodari CH, Camargo ME, Olea PM, Dorion ECH, Claus SM. The framework of the practice of innovation in primary healthcare: a case study. Cien Saude Colet 2015; 20(10):3073-3086.. In the present case, implementing innovative strategies to optimize the PHC apparatus in a capital city is even more challenging bearing in mind the central role PHC plays in coordinating care1212 Starfield B, Shi L, Macinko J. Contribution of Primary Care to Health Systems and Health. The Milbank Quarterly 2005; 83(3):457-502.. Actions focused on this level of care therefore affect other levels, being capable of triggering processes and outcomes across the HCN.

The region in question is marked by problems inherent in major urban centers in Brazil, such as rapid growth, lack of planning, unemployment and deep social inequalities. Access to health services therefore continues to be a critical issue. The persistence of inequalities and other social problems has a significant impact on health-disease processes, especially coverage of the FHS1717 Pitombeira DF, Oliveira LC. Pobreza e desigualdades sociais: tensões entre direitos, austeridade e suas implicações na atenção primária. Cien Saude Colet 2020; 25(5):1699-1708..

The project has made significant advances in this regard, especially considering the changes aimed at broadening access to PHC services. These advances were achieved by providing actions and services centered on the needs of the population44 Tasca R, Massuda A, Carvalho WM, Buchweitz C, Harzheim E. Recomendações para o fortalecimento da atenção primária à saúde no Brasil. Rev Panam Salud Publica 2020; 44:e4., including the adoption of innovative instruments such as the PHC service portfolio and Patient Notebook. It is worth mentioning that, despite the risks and obstacles encountered during the implementation of the actions, coverage of the FHS has increased significantly in the municipality. This increase in coverage warrants a mention because it was achieved despite the difficulties in the capital’s health districts, such as social structure and the prior existence of a disjointed care network based on traditional care models1818 Giovanella L, Mendonça MHM. Atenção Primária à Saúde. In: Giovanella L, organizadora. Políticas e sistemas de saúde no Brasil. Rio de Janeiro: Editora Fiocruz; 2012. p.493-545..

However, it is important to bear in mind that increased coverage does not necessarily mean improved access to services. Coverage and access are different attributes that require specific assessments to take into account regional inequities, especially those involving vulnerability, and the inverse equity hypothesis1919 Guimarães RM. A teoria da equidade reversa se aplica na atenção primária à sáude? Evidências de 5564 municípios brasileiros. Rev Panam Salud Publica 2018; 42:1-9..

Advances were also made in the operation of SISREG, which was disjointed from PHC and limited to one regulation center. The proposal to decentralize appointment scheduling was accepted and the PHC doctors themselves now schedule appointments. Although there are problems that still need to be overcome in this regard and time series analyses needs to be conducted to obtain relevant data, this is a promising step forward because it addresses a major barrier to access to services in other levels of care. A study in Rio de Janeiro showed that the number of procedures, tests and scheduled appointments rose from 790,091 in 2011 to 1,469,771 in 2015 (an increase of 86%) as a result of the decentralization of appointment scheduling to family doctors2020 Pinto LF, Soranz D, Scardua MT, Silva IM. A regulação municipal ambulatorial de serviços do Sistema Único de Saúde no Rio de Janeiro: avanços, limites e desafios. Cien Saude Colet 2017; 22(4):1257-1267.. It is expected that similar results will be achieved in Campo Grande.

One of the problems encountered by the PHC teams is poor working conditions, more specifically physical infrastructure, care center environment and supply shortages. In this regard, actions are being developed to promote improvements in physical infrastructure and health team funding44 Tasca R, Massuda A, Carvalho WM, Buchweitz C, Harzheim E. Recomendações para o fortalecimento da atenção primária à saúde no Brasil. Rev Panam Salud Publica 2020; 44:e4.. These actions seek to strengthen PHC as a health priority, investing in infrastructure and service organization2121 Brasil. Ministério da Saúde (MS). Secretaria de Atenção à Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Guia Política Nacional de Atenção Básica - Módulo 1: Integração Atenção Básica e Vigilância em Saúde. Brasília: MS; 2018.. It is known that the provision of adequate funding strengthens PHC, improves preventive service delivery to healthier populations and results in policies to promote primary care1212 Starfield B, Shi L, Macinko J. Contribution of Primary Care to Health Systems and Health. The Milbank Quarterly 2005; 83(3):457-502..

Training health professionals for PHC is a constant challenge in Brazil and was one of the priorities of the project. Focusing on family medicine and interprofessional residency programs, we concentrated our efforts on innovative teaching-learning processes guided by the needs of the local community. In this way, we strengthened the qualification of health workers and developed a professional training for PHC plan, thus supporting the recruitment of health professionals and helping to reduce staff turnover44 Tasca R, Massuda A, Carvalho WM, Buchweitz C, Harzheim E. Recomendações para o fortalecimento da atenção primária à saúde no Brasil. Rev Panam Salud Publica 2020; 44:e4..

In addition to improving the retention of health professionals, family and community training during residency and specialist training courses have a positive impact on a range of important health indicators. Studies showed that having adequately qualified staff reduced rates of hospitalization for ambulatory care sensitive conditions55 Santos MLM, Zafalon EJ, Bomfim RA, Kodjaoglanian VL, Moraes SHM, Nascimento DDG, Santos CAST, Souza AS, De Carli AD. Impact of distance education on primary health care indicators in central Brazil: An ecological study with time trend analysis. PLoS One 2019; 14(3):e0214485.,1010 Afonso MPD, Shimizu HE, Merchan-Hamann E, Ramalho WM, Afonso T. Association between hospitalisation for ambulatory care-sensitive conditions and primary health care physician specialisation: a cross- sectional ecological study in Curitiba (Brazil). BMJ Open 2017; 7(12):e015322., enhanced care for patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes mellitus and hypertension55 Santos MLM, Zafalon EJ, Bomfim RA, Kodjaoglanian VL, Moraes SHM, Nascimento DDG, Santos CAST, Souza AS, De Carli AD. Impact of distance education on primary health care indicators in central Brazil: An ecological study with time trend analysis. PLoS One 2019; 14(3):e0214485., improved maternal and infant health indicators1111 Nascimento DDG, Moraes SHM, Santos CAST, Souza AS, Bomfim RA, De Carli AD, Kodjaoglanian VL, Santos MLM, Zafalon EJ. Impact of continuing education on maternal and child health indicators. PLoS One 2020; 15(6):e0235258., and resulted in stronger primary care orientation2020 Pinto LF, Soranz D, Scardua MT, Silva IM. A regulação municipal ambulatorial de serviços do Sistema Único de Saúde no Rio de Janeiro: avanços, limites e desafios. Cien Saude Colet 2017; 22(4):1257-1267..

The project also develops actions to promote the integration of PHC and health surveillance to ensure that knowledge generation does not rely solely on epidemiological data from the health district, but also considers that these areas are living spaces permeated by a diverse range of social support settings and ways of life that reflect actions and reactions in the face of the health-disease process2121 Brasil. Ministério da Saúde (MS). Secretaria de Atenção à Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Guia Política Nacional de Atenção Básica - Módulo 1: Integração Atenção Básica e Vigilância em Saúde. Brasília: MS; 2018.. In this respect, the establishment of work processes centered on the specific health needs of the health district and willingness to engage with the community help improve resolvability and patient/worker satisfaction. These actions can facilitate outcomes that help services optimize performance against the attributes of primary care, with the ultimate aim of expanding access and improving the quality of care.

It is important to highlight that action planning was underpinned by the premises of institutional support. This device showed itself to be an important shared management strategy that drives improvements in health care and changes in work processes, bringing services, workers and managers closer together. This process is supported by ongoing critical analysis of care practices, aimed at producing local alternativas2222 Pereira CM, Feuerwerker LCM. Apoio em saúde: forças em relação. Rev Psicol Política 2018; 18(42);379- 398. to tackle needs that require the reorientation of ways of providing health care.

This is particularly relevant considering the changing global burden of disease, deepening health inequities and insufficient past strategies2323 Schwartz D, Duong D, Adam C, Awoonor-Williams JK, Back D, Bang A, Bang R, Beebe M, Bhatt S, Campbell J, Conteh M, Dimitrova D, Dimovska D, Dossou J-P, Evans T, Gadir M, Islam K, Kasyaba R, Kumar P, Levy C, Oanh TM, Monsef N, Oh J, Otoo N, Palazuelos D, Poh A, Sinha S, Smith C, Stewart B, Thomas C, Tritter B, Varnum P, Weilnau T, Ellner A. Primary care 2030: creating an enabling ecosystem for disruptive primary care models to achieve universal health coverage in low and middle-income countries. Annals Global Health 2020; 86(1):9.. In this regard, throughout the project, we sought to create new services to respond to the differing sociodemographic, cultural, economic and epidemiological characteristics of local populations. We also considered elements that mobilize and modify the coordination of services (techniques and equipment) and the need to make improvements to the physical infrastructure and environment of care settings. Conceptually speaking, therefore, the actions implemented during the study period encompass product, process and organizational innovations33 Nodari CH, Camargo ME, Olea PM, Dorion ECH, Claus SM. The framework of the practice of innovation in primary healthcare: a case study. Cien Saude Colet 2015; 20(10):3073-3086..

Thus, considering the actions implemented and results achieved during the study period, it is evident that INOVAAPS has cemented important advances with respect to the reorientation of the care model, training and retention of PHC professionals, coverage of the FHS, and HCN integration. Although it would be inappropriate to compare the different regions encompassed by laboratories for innovation due to the unique nature of each family health care setting, it is important to share experiences. In this respect, the actions presented here are aligned with the experiences of the Projeto Brasília Saudável (Healthy Brasília Project). With the aim of organizing the SUS for the full realization of health in the Federal District2424 Tasca R, Ventura ILS, Borges Vanessa, Leles FAG, Gomes RM, Ribas AN, Carvalho WM, Jimenez JMS. Laboratórios de inovação em saúde: por uma Atenção Primária à Saúde forte no Distrito Federal, Brasil. Cien Saude Colet 2019; 24(6):2021-2030., this project has made significant progress in strengthening PHC.

Innovations in the field of PHC encompass various possibilities and there is still much to be done. However, we understand that innovative initiatives are movements that “come to be” and are not established “a priori”. This reflection is fitting bearing in mind that, despite the growth in biomedical breakthroughs in the prevention, treatment and diagnosis of diseases in recent years, there have been comparatively few innovations in our health systems to expand services and improve access to quality care in order to achieve more equitable health outcomes2323 Schwartz D, Duong D, Adam C, Awoonor-Williams JK, Back D, Bang A, Bang R, Beebe M, Bhatt S, Campbell J, Conteh M, Dimitrova D, Dimovska D, Dossou J-P, Evans T, Gadir M, Islam K, Kasyaba R, Kumar P, Levy C, Oanh TM, Monsef N, Oh J, Otoo N, Palazuelos D, Poh A, Sinha S, Smith C, Stewart B, Thomas C, Tritter B, Varnum P, Weilnau T, Ellner A. Primary care 2030: creating an enabling ecosystem for disruptive primary care models to achieve universal health coverage in low and middle-income countries. Annals Global Health 2020; 86(1):9.. On the other hand, nationally, it is important to consider that certain advances occur at a basic level, where PHC is permeated by a “...reality of poverty and dismantling of social policies, not just health [policies]...”1717 Pitombeira DF, Oliveira LC. Pobreza e desigualdades sociais: tensões entre direitos, austeridade e suas implicações na atenção primária. Cien Saude Colet 2020; 25(5):1699-1708.. This notion is important, because, undeniably, different political, organizational and social factors play a role, affecting to a greater or lesser extent the implementation and sustainability of the changes intended by policies2525 Merhy EE, Feuerwerker LCM, Santos MLM, Bertussi DC, Baduy RS. Rede Básica, campo de forças e micropolítica: implicações para a gestão e cuidado em saúde. Saúde Debate 2019; 43(esp. 6):70-83..

It is vital to recognize this situation, especially in PHC, which is built on the premise of community alignment, which in turn is the foundation for quality health services, playing a critical role in achieving universal health coverage2323 Schwartz D, Duong D, Adam C, Awoonor-Williams JK, Back D, Bang A, Bang R, Beebe M, Bhatt S, Campbell J, Conteh M, Dimitrova D, Dimovska D, Dossou J-P, Evans T, Gadir M, Islam K, Kasyaba R, Kumar P, Levy C, Oanh TM, Monsef N, Oh J, Otoo N, Palazuelos D, Poh A, Sinha S, Smith C, Stewart B, Thomas C, Tritter B, Varnum P, Weilnau T, Ellner A. Primary care 2030: creating an enabling ecosystem for disruptive primary care models to achieve universal health coverage in low and middle-income countries. Annals Global Health 2020; 86(1):9.. Thus, in the face of the current socioeconomic situation, especially in developing countries like Brazil, the reorientation of PHC services for the implementation of innovations aligned with local realities is a differential factor for the reduction of disparities associated with socioeconomic deprivation1212 Starfield B, Shi L, Macinko J. Contribution of Primary Care to Health Systems and Health. The Milbank Quarterly 2005; 83(3):457-502..

During the project implementation process, relations of force inherent to initiatives that seek to reorient institutional practices were established. These relations are played out in fields of dispute, permeating the relational acts of the micropolitics of health care, power relations and intersubjective relations2525 Merhy EE, Feuerwerker LCM, Santos MLM, Bertussi DC, Baduy RS. Rede Básica, campo de forças e micropolítica: implicações para a gestão e cuidado em saúde. Saúde Debate 2019; 43(esp. 6):70-83.. They can thus act either as obstacles or to drive diverse ways of thinking and building innovation possibilities in the context of PHC and FHS, which is fulfilling its role of reducing inequalities in access to health services1919 Guimarães RM. A teoria da equidade reversa se aplica na atenção primária à sáude? Evidências de 5564 municípios brasileiros. Rev Panam Salud Publica 2018; 42:1-9. and consolidating itself as the best care model, with a capacity for innovation in management and communication technologies for health care44 Tasca R, Massuda A, Carvalho WM, Buchweitz C, Harzheim E. Recomendações para o fortalecimento da atenção primária à saúde no Brasil. Rev Panam Salud Publica 2020; 44:e4..

Thus, bearing in mind the path to be explored by the project over the coming years, by focusing on innovations in PHC, we are nested in a field of search for and discovery, experimentation and adoption of new knowledge, processes, products and forms of organization to offer something new to service users33 Nodari CH, Camargo ME, Olea PM, Dorion ECH, Claus SM. The framework of the practice of innovation in primary healthcare: a case study. Cien Saude Colet 2015; 20(10):3073-3086.. This is crucial in countries like Brazil, in which health systems have historically focused on episodic care for acute conditions and are poorly equipped to respond to the needs of the community throughout the life cycle2323 Schwartz D, Duong D, Adam C, Awoonor-Williams JK, Back D, Bang A, Bang R, Beebe M, Bhatt S, Campbell J, Conteh M, Dimitrova D, Dimovska D, Dossou J-P, Evans T, Gadir M, Islam K, Kasyaba R, Kumar P, Levy C, Oanh TM, Monsef N, Oh J, Otoo N, Palazuelos D, Poh A, Sinha S, Smith C, Stewart B, Thomas C, Tritter B, Varnum P, Weilnau T, Ellner A. Primary care 2030: creating an enabling ecosystem for disruptive primary care models to achieve universal health coverage in low and middle-income countries. Annals Global Health 2020; 86(1):9..

Finally, it is important to highlight that this process took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in the need to make a number of adjustments to the planned actions and develop and implement a Covid-19 action plan in the municipality with the active participation of the teams involved in INOVAAPS.

Final considerations

The experience presented here is undergoing an ongoing construction and evaluation process, because we understand that the intentionality of innovation in the field of PHC should extend beyond the assumptions of normative and watertight planning. Thus, in view of the prior trajectories of the various actors involved, we believe that, in general terms, the findings presented here are promising and have the potential to trigger future outcomes that can open new fronts to strengthen PHC. In relation to the recommendations of Tasca et al.44 Tasca R, Massuda A, Carvalho WM, Buchweitz C, Harzheim E. Recomendações para o fortalecimento da atenção primária à saúde no Brasil. Rev Panam Salud Publica 2020; 44:e4., it can therefore be concluded that the actions implemented to date are focused on the consolidation and expansion of access to PHC, recruitment and training of adequately qualified professionals, adoption of resolutive technologies, regulatory improvement and strengthening the mediating role of PHC.

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Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    02 July 2021
  • Date of issue
    June 2021

History

  • Received
    26 Oct 2020
  • Accepted
    02 Feb 2021
  • Published
    04 Feb 2021
ABRASCO - Associação Brasileira de Saúde Coletiva Rio de Janeiro - RJ - Brazil
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