Comparative research aspects on hospitalizations for ambulatory care sensitive conditions: the case of Brazil and Portugal.

Hospitalizations for ambulatory care sensitive conditions have been used to measure access, quality and performance of the primary health care delivery system, as timely and adequate care could potentially avoid the need of hospitalization. Comparative research provides the opportunity for cross-country learning process. Brazil and Portugal have reformed their primary health care services in the last years, with similar organizational characteristics. We used hospitalization data of Brazil and Portugal for the year 2015 to compare hospitalizations for ambulatory care sensitive conditions between the two countries, and discussed conceptual and methodological aspects to be taken into consideration in the comparative approach. Brazil and Portugal presented similarities in causes and standardized rates of hospitalizations for ambulatory care sensitive conditions. There was great sensitivity on rates according to the methodology employed to define conditions. Hospitalizations for ambulatory care sensitive conditions are important sources of pressure for both Brazil and Portugal, and there are conceptual and methodological aspects that are critical to render the country-comparison approach useful.