Expansion of the Family Health Strategy in Rio de Janeiro, 2009-2012: a case study in one area of the city

Abstract

Objective: To identify the strengths and weaknesses of the expansion of the Family Health Strategy based on management reports and official documents from one area of the Municipal Health Secretary of Rio de Janeiro from 2009-2012. Methods: The analyses were systematized in a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) matrix according to the structural and procedural changes and short-term results. Results: The identified strengths included investments in training processes for various professional groups and implementation of the Service Portfolio, Nursing Protocol, Electronic Medical Records, and Carioca Academy, as well as increased access to services and increased participation by local leaders. Conclusion: While weaknesses remain, such as the coordination of Primary Health Networks, the process is continuous, and in line with the national policy on primary care as well as the goals of comprehension, coordination of care, and overcoming paradigms in health, thus enabling a change in the conception of the process of health and disease. Incremental changes and important innovations were observed, such as the expansion of both coverage and the scope of actions within the framework of primary health care.