Atenção Básica no enfrentamento da pandemia: percepção dos profissionais de saúde numa cidade do Triângulo Mineiro

Abstract

Primary Care (PC) is defined as the gateway to health care. The Brazilian National Primary Care Policy, constitutes the bases and guidelines for the model in the country and presents the Family Health Strategy as a reference for action in prevention and health promotion in the territory through the Basic Family Health Units. In 2020, the world experienced an unprecedented context with the Covid-19 pandemic, which culminated in collapse of health systems. This study aims to investigate and discuss which practices and strategies were developed by the PC in a city of the Triângulo Mineiro, Minas Gerais, Brazil, in facing the Covid-19 pandemic. We interviewed 20 professionals working in UBSF, seeking to understand what their role was and what health care strategies were implemented during this period. The data analysis was done through the Content Analysis method by the categorization of the answers given. It was possible to understand that PC played an essential role in facing the pandemic, incorporating new care practices, such as telemedicine, and reformulating the previous ones, such as the waiting room. Due to the new flow of care and the new post-pandemic demand, intermediaries cares can be important health care strategies for users. The importance of teamwork and community bonding from ACS is emphasized, and it is necessary to strengthen the PC so that there is greater visibility for its work in health promotion, prevention, and protection.