Reference and counter-reference in everyday health care in Minas Gerais, Brazil: the support to decisions of primary care

Abstract

Objective: To understand, in the perception of professionals and managers of Primary Health Care (PHC), the reference and counter-reference system in health care and the support to decisions of APS professionals. Methods: Qualitative study, outlined by Holistic Multiple Case Study, based on Comprehensive Sociology of Everyday Life with 41 participants. Results: The support to decisions of APS professionals to direct users depends on the flow and regulation of the referenced demands; the waiting time for the user service; may be harmed by unnecessary and unreadable referrals and by the professionals' view on the system. Conclusion: Health is a social process of collective construction, and it needs to win the welfare and curative paradigm, the excessive consumption of queries with a high rate of referrals.