Coordination, integration, and continuity of care: what do we need after 30 years of the Family Health Strategy?

The Family Health Strategy (FHS), after thirty years, has shown numerous advances in reorienting the care model, expanding equitable access, and improving population health. However, networked care remains an unresolved issue. This article addresses the challenges and possibilities for care coordination within the FHS, which is the predominant model for structuring Primary Health Care (PHC) in Brazil, considering its role within care networks and regions of the Unified Health System (SUS). Initially, a brief overview of the situation regarding coordination, continuity, and integration of care is presented. In addition to recognizing the internal aspects of coordination within the scope of PHC (also related to access, quality, and availability of care), this article discusses decisive factors for coordination that go beyond PHC, particularly those related to the organization and functioning of specialized care, while still focusing on their connection with structural challenges of SUS. This article also explores certain mechanisms for coordination, integration, and continuity of care between PHC and SC. Finally, it presents technical-political strategy proposals to improve care coordination by the FHS.

Key words:
Primary Health Care; Family Health Strategy; Care coordination; Specialized care