A longitudinalidade nas práticas de saúde: uma revisão no contexto da Estratégia Saúde da Família

Abstract

The goal is to analyze, in Brazilian scientific literature, the activities, work characteristics, and limitations related to longitudinality within the Family Health Strategy framework. Integrative review, in which a survey of studies published up to 2021 was conducted in the Scielo and Lilacs databases.Considering eligibility criteria, 07 articles were included in the final sample. The identified activities/characteristics were classified and quantified according to the dimensions of longitudinality. The activities predominantly associated with the dimensions of Regular Source of Care and Interpersonal Relationship, with home visits conducted by community health agents and relational technologies, respectively, standing out. The dimension of Informational Continuity was the least addressed. The limits imposed on longitudinal care focused on the dimension of Regular Source of Care, such as bureaucratic access, medication shortages, and the lack of integration of the physician within the team. The focus on longitudinality provided the opportunity to analyze specific strengths and contradictions in health practices within the Family Health Strategy (ESF). It reinforces the need to investigate them, aiming for changes in the work process to strengthen Primary Health Care.