title: [Teamwork in primary care: the experience of Portugal].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the work of health care teams delivering primary care in Portugal.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed an evaluative research project, with a qualitative case study design. Data were obtained through semi-structured interviews, direct observation, and analysis of documents. We interviewed managers, workers, and users in 11 family health units (USF) in Portugal, for a total of 71 participants. Content analysis was used to assess the interviews.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Teams included a physician, a nurse, and an administrative employee. Each team was in charge of 1 250 to 2 060 users. A striking characteristic of the Portuguese experience was the voluntary and autonomous setup of teams at the USF, based on personal affinity. The services provided at the USF included a basic "service package" as well as activities of surveillance, health promotion, disease prevention, care of acute disease, clinical follow-up of patients with chronic or multiple diseases, home care, and networking with other services (hospital care). Difficulties in providing home care were reported. Electronic systems were widely available. According to interviewees, the changes resulting from the implementation of USF included improved user access to services, higher quality of care, and goal-oriented teamwork, guided by an action plan.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Even without a coordinating role in the health care network, the delivery of primary health care through teams was positively evaluated in Portugal as promoting increased access, continuity, and humanization of health services.
authors.affiliation: Escola de Enfermagem, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil. marizebs@gmail.com
authors.forename: Marize Barros de
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Souza
authors.forename: Paulo de Medeiros
authors.initials: Pde M
authors.lastname: Rocha
authors.forename: Armando Brito de
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Sá
authors.forename: Severina Alice da Costa
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Uchoa
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011174:Portugal; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*