Healthcare clients’ opinions regarding the embracement including risk classification

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify the opinions of healthcare clients regarding the embracement device including risk classification. This exploratory, qualitative study was performed with healthcare clients residing in a city in Southern Brazil. Data were collected through group interviews, which included two groups: one with clients from a primary healthcare unit associated with the family health strategy, and the other with clients of a conventional primary healthcare unit. The meetings were recorded and the discussions were later transcribed and analyzed. The clients from both groups reported the occurrence of conflicts regarding the implementation of the embracement device including risk classification, because the primary healthcare units hand out service forms according to the order in which the clients arrive at the unit. The study shows that this practice has the potential to promote changes in healthcare, provided that agreements are established and understood between healthcare services and clients.

Descriptors: User Embracement; Triage; Primary Health Care; Organization and Administration; Nursing.