0084/2025 - Quinze anos da Reforma dos Cuidados em Atenção Primária à Saúde (RCAPS) no municÃpio do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil Fifteen years of the Primary Health Care Reform (RCAPS) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
atenção primária à saúde; avaliação em saúde; atributos da atenção primária; Rio de Janeiro.
Abstract:
Rio de Janeiro has become a paradigm for Brazilian Primary Health Care (PHC). How did the city, which until 2008 was the capital of the country with the lowest coverage of complete Family Health Strategy teams, with 3.5% of its population, manage to give access to more than 70% of cariocas by 2024? We analyze the main axes and results of the RCAPS in a 15-year trajectory, inspired by primary care in Lisbon, Portugal. Limits, challenges and advances are discussed. Among the latter, we highlight the changes in the organizational chart, the management model, health care by results, and the strengthening of PHC as a network organizer and care coordinator. The feasibility of RCAPS for a large city is demonstrated, with the following limitations: (i) the need to reorganize continuing education processes, (ii) improved communication with the SUS user population and (iii) insufficient tripartite funding, especiallythe state government. Digital Health as an axis for improving communication, expanding access and greater resolutiveness is today consolidated as management's greatest challenge.
Keywords:
primary health care; health evaluation; primary care attributes; Rio de Janeiro.
Fifteen years of the Primary Health Care Reform (RCAPS) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Resumo (abstract):
Rio de Janeiro has become a paradigm for Brazilian Primary Health Care (PHC). How did the city, which until 2008 was the capital of the country with the lowest coverage of complete Family Health Strategy teams, with 3.5% of its population, manage to give access to more than 70% of cariocas by 2024? We analyze the main axes and results of the RCAPS in a 15-year trajectory, inspired by primary care in Lisbon, Portugal. Limits, challenges and advances are discussed. Among the latter, we highlight the changes in the organizational chart, the management model, health care by results, and the strengthening of PHC as a network organizer and care coordinator. The feasibility of RCAPS for a large city is demonstrated, with the following limitations: (i) the need to reorganize continuing education processes, (ii) improved communication with the SUS user population and (iii) insufficient tripartite funding, especiallythe state government. Digital Health as an axis for improving communication, expanding access and greater resolutiveness is today consolidated as management's greatest challenge.
Palavras-chave (keywords):
primary health care; health evaluation; primary care attributes; Rio de Janeiro.
Pinto, L.F, Caldas, ALFR. Quinze anos da Reforma dos Cuidados em Atenção Primária à Saúde (RCAPS) no municÃpio do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Cien Saude Colet [periódico na internet] (2025/mar). [Citado em 28/12/2025].
Está disponÃvel em: http://cienciaesaudecoletiva.com.br/artigos/quinze-anos-da-reforma-dos-cuidados-em-atencao-primaria-a-saude-rcaps-no-municipio-do-rio-de-janeiro-brasil/19560