Nurses' perceptions on the primary care information system

Abstract

This study is a qualitative research aimed at identifying nurses'perception on the primary care information system. The research subjects were primary health care nurses, including the ones working in the family health and community health programs. The study setting consisted of three primary health care units in a municipality of the state of Minas Gerais. Data were collected through semi-structured interview. A thorough perusal of the transcriptions enabled the construction of the following categories of analysis: Health information system: from theory to practice - a faulty construction; Lack of understanding of the system functionality hampering its implementation; Primary care information system guiding decision making regarding health care: understanding the subject in question. The study demonstrated that the nurses participating in this study have insufficient perception of the primary care information systems. An inefficient use of such systems could result in gaps that need to be filled so that the information produced reflects the population context.