Care continuity and actions in the territory during COVID-19 in São Paulo municipalities, Brazil: barriers and facilitators

Abstract

The discontinuity of care and actions in the territory in primary health care during pandemic periods can escalate acute and chronic complications and mortality. In this sense, this article aims to present the barriers and facilitators for care continuity and actions in the territory during the COVID-19 pandemic in São Paulo municipalities. This qualitative analysis was conducted through 37 interviews with health managers and professionals from six municipalities. Two facilitators were identified: the availability of a specific service for attending COVID-19-related respiratory demands and the integration of the health team professionals before the pandemic. Two barriers were identified: a fragile primary healthcare structure before the pandemic and the lack of alignment of health professionals’ actions with the community and territorial care model. We concluded that municipalities with a structured PHC system before the pandemic faced fewer hardships in preserving care continuity and actions in the territory.

Key words:
Primary Health Care; Care continuity; Actions in the territory; COVID-19; State capacity