Family caregivers' perceptions of the quality of primary healthcare services for people with disabilities: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND

How do caregivers of people with disabilities perceive the quality of health services in primary healthcare?

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to show the quality of health services for people with disabilities in primary healthcare, based on the perceptions of family caregivers.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study. During data collection, 49 family caregivers who use the center were interviewed. The assessment instruments used were the Socio-Economic and Demographic Questionnaire and the PCATool-Brasil (Primary Care Assessment Tool), in the reduced adult and child versions, to assess the level of essential and derived characteristics of primary healthcare.

RESULTS

Women were the main caregivers (40; 82%), and the main disability was mental (28; 58%). The highest scores were observed in affiliation (100%), utilization (73.4%), and information system (83.7%). The lowest scores were found in longitudinal (26.5%), integration of care, available services, services provided (28.6%), and derived scores (28.6-22.4%) related to family guidance and community guidance. The population showed a low orientation toward primary healthcare, with a high total score (22.4%). The economic situation showed a positive association (p=0.017).

CONCLUSION

According to the characteristics of primary healthcare, care is fragmented and disjointed and does not meet the needs of people with disabilities and their caregivers.