COVID-19 pandemic in Primary Health Care: Comparative experiences between Brazil and European countries

Abstract

This qualitative study aims to identify, analyze, and compare the differences and similarities in the impact of the
COVID-19 pandemic on Primary Health Care (PHC) services in Brazil, Spain, Italy, and Portugal. It is a section of multicentre research on international cooperation, carried out in countries with universal national health systems organized as a gateway for PHC. Interviews were conducted with 75 Brazilian and foreign health professionals from different professional categories.
The data were submitted to thematic content analysis, based on Bardin’s theoretical reference. The results show that the health systems in these countries maintain PHC as the main gateway to health services, which is why the family health teams have access restrictions. Reorganization of services and modifications in the functioning of the units were observed, considering the territorial specificities in the offer and maintenance of health services. There has been a revival of professionals, feelings of mourning and
mourning for the loss of users and workers, as well as the implementation of teleconsultations by doctors and nurses in all the countries investigated. The study includes different organizational formats, for the same purpose of guaranteeing continuity of care