Family caregivers' perceptions of the quality of primary healthcare services for people with disabilities: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: How do caregivers of people with disabilities perceive the quality of health services in primary healthcare? OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to show the quality of health services for people with disabilities in primary healthcare, based on the perceptions of family caregivers. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study. During data collection, 49 family caregivers who use the center were interviewed. The assessment instruments used were the Socio-Economic and Demographic Questionnaire and the PCATool-Brasil (Primary Care Assessment Tool), in the reduced adult and child versions, to assess the level of essential and derived characteristics of primary healthcare. RESULTS: Women were the main caregivers (40; 82%), and the main disability was mental (28; 58%). The highest scores were observed in affiliation (100%), utilization (73.4%), and information system (83.7%). The lowest scores were found in longitudinal (26.5%), integration of care, available services, services provided (28.6%), and derived scores (28.6-22.4%) related to family guidance and community guidance. The population showed a low orientation toward primary healthcare, with a high total score (22.4%). The economic situation showed a positive association (p=0.017). CONCLUSION: According to the characteristics of primary healthcare, care is fragmented and disjointed and does not meet the needs of people with disabilities and their caregivers.