Territorialization of care and proximities in a community-based primary care system: What are the results on access to care and resident satisfaction? A case study from São Paulo.

Abstract

The aim of this contribution is to evaluate the results of proximity and territorialization as organizational principles for community-based primary health care, on the declared access to care and satisfaction of local residents. Two community health care facilities of the city of São Paulo, Brazil, were compared using a qualitative approach. It appears that geographical, relational and organized proximities are valued by the local residents, and are helpful tools for a community health approach. However, the choice of implementing these proximities through a territorialization of health care, as well as the criteria that were used for the division of health territories, are potential barriers for access to primary care.