Monitoring and performance indicators in family health units and the objectives of sustainable development goals (SDG 3) in health: A comparative analysis in Portugal in the 2013-2018 period

Abstract

The scale of transformation required to achieve all Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is considerable. The third SDG (SDG3) is explicitly health-related to ensure healthy lives and well-being for all, at all ages. Primary care (PHC), in this context, is the backbone of a he-alth system that can improve people’s health, re-duce spending and inequalities. A robust system orientation towards PHC must be temporally sta-ble since its reformulation. This analysis uses an instrumental case study. This type of case study provides the opportunity to learn about events. We analyzed and debated 13 indicators, compa-ring over time, the results obtained by the type of Portuguese health units: USF-A, USF-B, UCSP, UCSP-M. The results show some discrepancies when comparing USFs and UCSPs and may con-tribute to the deterioration of access inequalities. This is a problem related to clinical governance and not the health unit model. Empowering coor-dination and improving the effectiveness of midd-le management is crucial.