Continuity of care from the perspective of users

Continuity of care, in addition to ensuring improvement of the quality of care, contributes to the reduction of health costs. The objective of this study was to analyse the continuity of care in health units in the municipality of Évora (south of Portugal), from the perspective of users. This is acr...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Ciência & saude coletiva 2017-03, Vol.22 (3)
Main Authors: Felismina Rosa P Mendes, Maria Laurencia G Parreirinha Gemito, Caldeira, Ermelinda doCarmo, Serra, Isaura daConceicao, Casas-Maria Vitoria Novas
Format: Article
Language:Portuguese
Subjects:
Continuity
Continuity of care
Cost analysis
Health
Information management
Patient satisfaction
Quality of care
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Summary:Continuity of care, in addition to ensuring improvement of the quality of care, contributes to the reduction of health costs. The objective of this study was to analyse the continuity of care in health units in the municipality of Évora (south of Portugal), from the perspective of users. This is across-sectional, exploratory and descriptive study with a quantitative approach, with a sample consisting of 342 users of health units. The instrument was a questionnaire adapted from English and Spanish studies. The results show that elements of continuity were identified in the different dimensions of the continuity of care - relational, management, information and some items of flexible continuity. Longitudinal continuity has the lowest values in nursing care. In conclusion, what stands out positively, and in its different dimensions, is relational continuity, in which most users recommend their family doctor and nurse to family and friends, and flexible continuity, which translates into reduced waiting times to be attended by a doctor or nurse and access to care. What stands out negatively is the weak involvement of the user in care by health professionals, in the dimensions of relational continuity.
ISSN:1413-8123
1678-4561
DOI:10.1590/1413-81232017223.26292015