NURSING ACTIONS FOR CONTINUITY OF CARE IN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE: A VALIDATION STUDY

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: to map and validate, together with specialists, actions to be performed by the Primary Health Care nurse for the continuity of care to the user, after hospital discharge. Method: validation study with qualitative/quantitative approach. The nursing actions were mapped through two focus groups with 11 nurses; one in a Basic Health Unit and 10 in Family Health Strategies in the municipality of Catanduva, SP, Brazil (qualitative stage) and complemented by other sources. The analysis of the reports occurred through the use of content analysis. The Delphi technique was adopted for content validation by 11 experts with a pre-established consensus of 0.80 and calculation of the content validity index (quantitative stage). The data was collected between December 2019 and March 2022. Results: nine categories emerged related to the active search for the user/family; scheduling and conducting home visits; matrix support; organization of follow-up; training of caregivers/family members; coordination of the health team; strengthening of professional/patient/family relationships and participation in educational and evaluative actions. The mapping of the actions generated 18 items. There were two rounds of the Delphi Technique. In the first, the content validity index ranged from 0.73 to 1.0 and, in the next, from 0.90 to 1.0. Conclusion: the validation of 17 of the proposed actions can guide the practice of nurses and contribute to the monitoring and strengthening of continued care and in a network centered on the strengths of users/families/community.