Abstract

SEGREDO PEREZ, Alina María. Characterization of the management system in Primary Health Care. Rev Cubana Med Gen Integr [online]. 2004, vol.20, n.5-6. ISSN 0864-2125.

A cross-sectional descriptive research was conducted aimed at characterizing the organizational and structural conditions of the management system in Primary Health Care, in 2003. The directors of the health areas of the country were included in the study. The following variables were analyzed: age, sex, marital status, time in the position, ways of access to the post, working conditions, work planning and time devoted to upgrading. To develop the research, a questionnaire was made and applied. It was found that the age group 30-35 was the most representative, accounting for 59.5 %, that 79.8 % of the area directors have been in this post for less than a year or from 1 to 3 years, that 42.1 % are promoted to this position, and that only 42.5 % have a complete management team. Likewise, it was determined that 81.7 % have meetings in and out of the working hours and that only 55 % of these meetings are related to the objectives of the institution. 80 % plan their work for nonworking days and just 40.5 % devote some time to improve their knowledge. It was concluded that the directors of the health areas work under unfavorable organizational and structural conditions that take time from their upgrading and training activities.

Keywords : Health management; organization; structure; planning; upgrading.