Abstract
Objective:
To determine the top health services management research priorities in primary health care within the underserved areas of Eastern São Paulo, Brazil.
Method:
The Delphi method was used to identify important questions in primary health care within health services management for Eastern São Paulo, Brazil to be addressed through research from the perspective of local managerial personnel. In the first round, respondents provided research questions important for the advancement of health services management in Eastern São Paulo, Brazil. This data was used to create the questionnaire for the next round. In the second round, respondents assessed the importance of each research question on a five-point numerical scale. Descriptive statistics including the mean and standard deviation were computed to assess the relative importance of each research priority.
Results:
The top ten research questions were centered around comprehensive healthcare; coordination of care within the healthcare system; managerial competencies; communication strategies and assistance processes; strategies to alleviate maternal mortality; the use health indicator data in management of care; and application of Information Technology resources and other technologies in management and monitoring.
Conclusion:
The identified priorities provide a framework for the conduction of future primary health care research in health services management for Eastern São Paulo, Brazil that is aligned with the local population needs. improve the organization and management of primary health care and the delivery of health care services.
