Gestão e planejamento da atenção primária em saúde em municípios de pequeno porte do oeste de Santa Catarina

Abstract

Introduction: Primary Health Care (PHC) is the gateway to Brazil’s Unified Health System and plays a fundamental role in ensuring comprehensive and equitable care, especially in small municipalities. Objective: To analyze the planning of PHC service delivery in small municipalities in the western region of Santa Catarina. Methodology: This descriptive, applied qualitative study was conducted through semi-structured interviews with municipal health managers and other professionals working in PHC in three selected municipalities. The collected data were analyzed using content analysis, which allowed the identification of patterns, challenges, and strategies in the local PHC management and planning process. Results: The management and planning process in small municipalities is influenced not only by the skills of the managers but also by numerous challenges associated with heavy community demands, the health issues characteristic of each area, and access to resources. Thus, ensuring effective and high-quality PHC organization requires both technical and human knowledge of not only the local context but also the community at large. The social relevance of this research lies in supporting improvements in public health management in small municipalities, contributing to enhanced efficiency, quality, and equity in PHC services and, consequently, to better health outcomes in the community.