Comparative study of innovations on chronic conditions in primary health care in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, and Ferrara, Italy

Résumé

This study compares the main challenges related to innovations in health care concerning chronic conditions perceived by primary care professionals from Porto Alegre, Brazil, and Ferrara, Italy. This is a descriptive exploratory study with a qualitative approach performed in primary care units whose data were collected through semistructured interviews with professionals from the Local Sanitary Unit of Ferrara and focus groups and semi-structured interviews with workers of the Community Health Service of the Grupo Hospitalar Alegre Conceição of Porto Alegre. Data were discussed using thematic analysis. By analyzing both cases, the main challenges of both professionals and users are innovative practices, difficulties in the organization and management of care, and inefficient training process, which still does not prepare the professional for the new health care model. We conclude that these challenges influence the daily routine of these professionals and discourage the incorporation of innovative practices in the care of people with chronic conditions.