Primary health care and continuity of care and their impact on the management of chronic diseases: A literature review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62827/fb.v26i5.1105Keywords:
Primary Health Care; Chronic Diseases; Continuity of Patient Care.Abstract
Introduction: Non-communicable chronic diseases represent a significant challenge for healthcare systems, requiring continuous management strategies, regular monitoring, and comprehensive care. Primary Health Care (PHC) plays a central role in coordinating, preventing, and monitoring these patients, promoting treatment adherence and reducing complications. Objective: This study conducted a literature review to synthesize evidence on PHC and continuity of care, focusing on their impact on chronic disease management, multidisciplinary practices, use of technologies, and organizational strategies to promote comprehensive care. Methods: This is a descriptive and analytical literature review based on national and international publications available in the Virtual Health Library (VHL), Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS), PubMed, and Scopus. Included were articles, reviews, dissertations, case studies, and institutional reports published between 2010 and 2025, in Portuguese, English, or Spanish, addressing PHC, continuity of care, and chronic disease management. Isolated opinion pieces, interviews, and duplicate materials were excluded. The selection process comprised three stages: identification, screening of titles and abstracts, and full-text assessment of eligible studies. Results: The literature indicates that structured PHC models with multidisciplinary teams, standardized clinical protocols, integration across care levels, and the incorporation of digital technologies are associated with improved chronic disease control, treatment adherence, reduced complications, and higher patient satisfaction. Studies emphasize that continuity of care strengthens patient-professional relationships, optimizes longitudinal monitoring, and facilitates early detection of health issues. Barriers include regional inequalities, insufficient professional training, and gaps in the implementation of integrated public health policies. Conclusion: Structured PHC and continuity of care play a crucial role in effective chronic disease management, promoting comprehensive care, improved clinical outcomes, and reduced complications. Investments in professional training, care-support technologies, streamlined care pathways, and integrated health policies are essential to optimize care and expand the benefits of PHC to the population.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Lucas Rodrigues Pereira Barros , Maria Fernanda Teixeira Peres Machado, Joana Gama Canal, Bernardo Sander Corrêa de Souza (Autor)
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