Primary Health Care structuring ideas

Abstract

Background: 45 years ago, a primary health care model was created to address the major quality gaps in national health care systems. Problem: This model proved to be successful but, at the same time, difficult to implement in all its dimensions. Objective: A deep understanding of the structuring axes of this health care model, which is possible today due to the cultural and experimental maturity on the subject, will allow us to identify which challenges should lead to the improvement of this proposal. Method: This research was anchored in documentary and bibliographic material that was subjected to critical-narrative review. Results: As an effective care model, it is necessary to ensure proximity to the user, compatibility with science, community participation, social acceptability and care for the vulnerable; among the structuring axes, it is necessary to ensure that primary care is integrated with the other levels of care; that health care integrates other policies and that all health policies provide for the interaction of other public sectors; that health care is led not only by governments, but by all individuals and social groups. Conclusions: although the direction of the “primary care” model is somewhat predictable, as the passing of these 45 years has revealed that it is an efficient and adequate model for mitigating inequality of access, the international community now seems to understand that this model, strengthened by the rooting of its structural axes, can be the instrument that will allow the desired universal access to health.