title: [Regional health systems management: a case study in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil].
abstract: This article analyzes the management system in a health district in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, through qualitative analysis, using a case study as the methodology and macro-organization theory as the analytical framework. For the current management system in the 6th Health Region, a clear mission statement and wide acceptance by health workers are facilitating factors for the current organizational practices within the health system. Nevertheless, the way health coordinators are currently prioritizing their time has diverted necessary resources from critical problems towards more remedial issues. The 6th Health Region has encouraged social control (or public oversight) in order to improve accountability. However, there is room for improvement in quality assurance management, since there were no well-defined goals, objectives, or accountability. Decentralized consultancy provided to the municipalities and the funding model itself have both promoted decentralization and autonomy, although the strategy requires better regional integration and greater commitment in managerial practices.
authors.affiliation: Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. juliano@fiocruz.br
authors.forename: Juliano de Carvalho
authors.initials: Jde C
authors.lastname: Lima
authors.forename: Francisco Javier Uribe
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Rivera
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil; D018166:Health Care Reform / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D011635:Public Health Administration / Q000379:methods*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012040:Regional Health Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012941:Social Responsibility