Innovations in primary care management: a Brazilian experience

Abstract

Primary care (PC) is a form of organisation from the public health assistance structure that plays a key function for the local systems of healthcare, which guarantees the principles of the health system in Brazil. Based on the theories that sustain the concepts of innovation, this research has the main objective to identify the innovations which occur in the PC of the health system of Caxias do Sul, which influence the dynamics in healthcare local institutions, contributing to the region’s economic and social performance. The health system of Caxias do Sul showed a high score of quality in PC orientation showing significant correlation with the number of innovations implemented, with investments in healthcare, provided in the PCU structures. The results of the study indicate that there is an institutional environmental of constant changes, simulating health and more equitable human development conditions toward a better public health management strategy.