title: [Healthcare practices of Family Health Teams in four major cities].
abstract: This paper examines reports on how care is administered by Family Health Teams (FHT) doctors and nurses in four state capitals. It identifies issues relating to priority actions, routine activities and the association between the professional profile and how selected activities are performed, in an attempt to ascertain how far these approximate to the comprehensive approach to primary health care. The cross-section reflects results from data collected via self-applied questionnaires. Cross-analyses were made using the Pearson chi-square (÷(2)) test for categorical variables. A and B variables are, or are not, associated, at a 5% level of significance. The analyses point to a tendency to strike a balance in meeting programmed and spontaneous demand, corroborating the person-centered approach. Action to address chronic infectious disorders is not a priority for all FHTs, which impairs health surveillance actions and comprehensive care. Home visits are not yet a weekly activity for all personnel. Lack of involvement in community activities restricts care to conventional practices and undermines the logic of change of model. Contradictions identified between training and practice indicate a need to review policies for ongoing professional development.
authors.affiliation: Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista, BA, Brazil. maiaufba@ufba.br
authors.forename: Adriano Maia dos
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: Ligia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Giovanella
authors.forename: Maria Helena Magalhães de
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Mendonça
authors.forename: Carla Lourenço Tavares de
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Andrade
authors.forename: Maria Inês Carsalade
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.forename: Marcela Silva da
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Cunha
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil; D002947:Cities; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005192:Family Health; D006801:Humans; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011364:Professional Practice; D014504:Urban Health