[Evaluation of comprehensiveness: ascribing meaning to agreements on goals for local health systems].
As a policy guideline, ideal, or objective, comprehensiveness is a relevant attribute in the evaluation of quality of care and health systems. The article discusses the meaning of the concept of comprehensiveness in practice in some health services and systems, analyzing various methodologies to implement the concept. In Brazil, what prevails is an expanded perception emphasizing the complete, continuous, and coordinated nature of health care and management. The article highlights the importance of combining the evaluation of comprehensiveness with measures of access, suggesting the selection of indicators pertaining to agreements on goals for local health systems and their monitoring. This initiative could enhance the validity of existing evaluation instruments, from a communications perspective.
Departamento de Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil. eleonorc@bol.com.br
Eleonor Minho
EM
Conill
D001938:Brazil; D003191:Comprehensive Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D006040:Goals; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D012040:Regional Health Planning / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards