Experiences and expectations of obese older people on the care received in the primary health care network.

Renata Evangelista Tavares Machado,Deíse Moura De Oliveira,Maria Cristina Pinto De Jesus,Miriam Aparecida Barbosa Merighi,Vanessa Augusta Souza Braga,Daniel Rodrigues Machado

doi:10.1590/0034-7167-2020-0438

Abstract

to understand the experiences and expectations of obese elderly people on the care they received in the primary health care network. phenomenological study, in which 16 obese elderly people living in a municipality in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, were interviewed. Their statements were organized into categories and analyzed according to Alfred Schütz's social phenomenology and thematic literature. the following categories emerged: "Care neglected to obese elderly people in the primary health care network", "Group activities as a way to provide primary health care to obese elderly people: a present past", and "Qualified longitudinal care, centered in the needs of obese elderly people". offering comprehensive and longitudinal primary health care to obese older people was difficult, and there was instability in the consolidation of public policies, which pointed out the need for effective bonds between different healthcare network services and between professionals and users.

Highlights

Population aging has been progressing, and estimates indicate that the number of older people will continue to grow worldwide
In Brazil, these health problems were responsible for 74% of overall deaths and 17% of premature deaths recorded in 2019(2), which poses a remarkable challenge to public health and requires proper responses from health services
The reported experiences about the assistance offered by primary health care (PHC) professionals to the study target population reflected the fragility of the actions oriented toward tackling obesity: My doctor works at the free clinic

Summary

Introduction

Population aging has been progressing, and estimates indicate that the number of older people will continue to grow worldwide. The global population aged over 60 years was estimated to be 841 million people, and must reach two billion people in 2050(1). This has been celebrated, because it is seen as the result of a set of successful efforts, including reduction in early mortality and fertility rates, with the latter factor associated with vaccinepreventable, infectious, and parasitic diseases. This phenomenon is followed by an epidemiological change that imparts a higher comorbidity load to chronic conditions. Investing in health services is critical to improving the follow-up of chronic conditions, which includes strengthening health systems and the training and offer of qualified human resources(3)

Methods

Results

Conclusion