The trajectory of the Research Network on Primary Health Care of Abrasco

Abstract

Research Network on Primary Health Care (Rede APS) has been seeking for the last 8 years the participation, access and exchange of national and international scientific knowledge on Primary Health Care (APS) among researchers, managers and workers of Unified  Health System (SUS). We present the context of its  emergence, a chronological analysis of its main historical events and its relationship with the  development of policies related to Brazilian APS. We  have carried out a documentary analysis of online  publications, official documents and meeting reports  and interviews with actors related to its creation and  development. Rede APS had an important influence  on the evaluation of the National Program for Access  and Quality Improvement in Primary Health Care  (PMAQ-AB), the dissemination of research on the  More Doctors Program and in the critical debates  about the reformulation of the National Policy of  Primary Health Care (PNAB). Based on initiatives such  as this one and seeking to strengthen the dialogue  and exchange among managers, workers and  researchers, this network can continue to play a  relevant role in structuring and evaluating APS in  Brazil.