Care Management: Perspectives from Managers, Professionals and Users of a Specialized Service Facility Focused on Human Immunodeficiency Virus/ Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

Abstract

Background: Complex practices used for care management are developed to include the perspectives of professionals, healthcare organizations and patients. Therefore, to implement strategies to provide quality care, identifying gaps in these practices is crucial. This study seeks to gain a better understanding of the management of health care for people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome by considering the perspective of health professionals, managers and patients of a specialized service facility in South Brazil that focuses on contagious diseases. Methods: This qualitative, dialogic, reflexive and interpretative study involved 16 participants. The data were derived from semi-structured interviews conducted during 2013 and 2014. Ethnograph® software was used to provide a descriptive and interpretative data analysis. Results: The results show that care management multidimensionality requires continuous attention to the way professionals think as well as reorganization of labor processes and the network of services provided. Thus emerged three categories: interdisciplinarity in care management; continuous training in care management; and strengthening of health care networks. Conclusion: From the perspective of individuals involved in managing and promoting the care and health of people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, changes are needed to improve the care of people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome in terms of the three dimensions of care management.