Health Care Network: Service Flow of Women with Breast Cancer At Goiânia, Goiás

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The subject of Health Care Network (HCN) refers to the functionality of health services and has been the focus of discussion for its relevance in the organizational context of the Unified Health System (UHS). It aims to promote the integration of the system, actions, services and health care. In this context, uses structural tools, where highlights the organization of users assistance flows. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the flow of care for women with breast cancer from the perspective of the UHS and to identify factors that facilitate or hinder the flow. METHODOLOGY: This is an analytic transversal research, quantitative, carried out at a tertiary unit of public health system in Goiania, Goias, Brazil, between January and April 2012. The project was approved by the Ethics Committee of Hospital das Clinicas, Federal University of Goias (protocol No. 162/2011). Study participants were women over eighteen years, living in Goiania, diagnosed with breast cancer and in outpatient treatment. Questionnaires were applied with structured script through individual interviews. RESULTS: There were 92 women, aged between 29 and 82 years. The study revealed that women sought treatment through SUS flow consisting of the public system and through alternative flow system composed of public and private sectors. It was found that of 92 participants, 62 (67. 4%) used exclusively SUS flow, while 30 (32. 6%) using the alternate flow. It was found that of 92 participants, 62 (67. 4%) used exclusively SUS flow, while 30 (32. 6%) used the alternate flow. The research results related the access and accessibility to health services with the use or not of the flow exclusively SUS to obtain resolubility for the health problem. Demonstrated that the use of SUS exclusively flow is proportionally related to access to health services in the aged under 20 years and the fact of not being employed. The research showed that women who had access to gynecological care under the age of 20 years old, had a 2.55 times greater chance of using the flow SUS exclusively for the treatment of breast cancer and found that women who do not work had 3, 28 times more chance to use the flow exclusively SUS. Among the facilities mentioned, access related to the treatment of breast cancer in a hospital unit was found to be prevalent, being reported by 92.5% of women interviewed. CONCLUSIONS: Although there is the flow rate recommended in SUS for the care of women with breast cancer, this study demonstrated the need to improve integration between different levels of attention to health, with an investment in the system of reference and cross-reference and relevance of studies that address political, organizational and contextual factors on the SUS perspective, related to the flow of attendance of users.