Publicization of situational diagnosis as a strategy to promote interaction: PHC, population and social control

Abstract

This experience report was developed within the scope of the Professional Master's Program in Family Health, linked to the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation and the Federal University of Mato Grosso. Its objective was to describe the application of the Situational Strategic Planning and Participatory Rapid Estimation methodologies in the elaboration of a diagnosis of the local reality in a Basic Health Unit in the municipality of Barra do Garças, Mato Grosso state. The main objective was to report the stages of this diagnostic process based on the experiences of the Family Health Team. As a secondary objective, it sought to broaden the population's knowledge about the services offered at the unit, through the dissemination of the results in a virtual flipbook. The activities were conducted with the health team and included analysis of secondary data, observation of the territory and the dynamics of work. Subsequently, discussion groups were held to capture the professionals' perceptions and to identify, in a participatory manner, the main critical points of the service. Among these, the weakness in the regular monitoring of elderly people with hypertension and diabetes mellitus stood out. The combined application of the methodologies made it possible to foster qualified listening, stimulate critical reflection within the team, and promote the collective construction of strategies to address daily challenges in primary care. The experience proved valuable in strengthening the professionals' protagonism in analyzing the local reality, highlighting the potential of these tools for improving health planning.