[Evaluating quality of care in an AIDS program: health services research issues in Brazil].
This article discusses a study focused on quality care in health services under the Brazilian AIDS Program. Research in 2001-2003 involved three different projects: an in-depth analysis of the predominant health care pattern in five services, a qualitative evaluation of 27 services, and a structured evaluation of 322 services from seven Brazilian states. Through a description of the projects' stages, the authors discuss issues on theoretical and methodological approaches to evaluation of care in health programs. The discussion also focuses on key problems with the applicability and impact of health services evaluation.
Nemes
Maria Ines Battistella
MI
Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. mibnemes@usp.br
Castanheira
Elen Rose Lodeiro
ER
Melchior
Regina
R
Alves
Maria Teresa Seabra Soares de Britto e
MT
Basso
Cáritas Relva
CR
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D001938:Brazil; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000592:standards*; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000592:standards*