Governance and support from the secondary social network in health care for children and adolescents with chronic diseases.

The objective of this qualitative study was to analyze the structural characteristics of the governance system and support offered by the secondary social network in health care for children and adolescents with chronic diseases. The study was carried out at Family Health Strategy (FHS) units, a specialized outpatient clinic, and a public pediatric hospital in João Pessoa, Paraiba, Brazil, from February to October 2013, using semi-structured interviews and focus groups. The participants included six managers, 14 health professionals, and 12 family caregivers of children or adolescents with chronic diseases. The data were analyzed according to the principles of thematic content analysis. The governance system found in health care for children and adolescents with chronic diseases was collaborative. Additionally, the limitations of managerial public governance were clear, weakening the secondary social network with repercussions regarding the support offered to the family and cooperation between services. This reality can have a negative impact on the quality and effectiveness of the care provided to children and adolescents with chronic conditions, as it does not meet the real needs of this population.