Building a PHC evaluation framework for Latin America

Objective. To determinate the clarity, relevance and pertinence of a primary health care evaluation strategy for different Latin American health sub-systems. Material and Methods. This strategy was assessed using workshops held with decision makers and administrative managers from a public health organization, a social insurance and a private insurance health organization. The study took place in the province of Santa Fe (Argentina) between May 2006 and May 2007. Results. The strategy was determined to be clear and relevant by all organizations, but highly applicable only in the public case.The social-insurance and private cases questioned the pertinence of objectives related to community participation, intersectoral actions and a focus on social determinants of health, in addition to considering it necessary to restrict the scope of ideas related to universal access and equity with regard to their client population. Discussion. The evaluation of the pertinence of the strategy was explained by the particularities of the institutional context, as well as the goals and survival strategies used by each organization.