Evaluability of the Program to Value Primary Healthcare Professionals (PROVAB): management challenges

Area of Science:

• Health Policy
• Healthcare Management
• Public Health

Background:

• The Brazilian Ministry of Health established the Program to Value Primary Healthcare Professionals (PROVAB) in 2011.
• PROVAB is part of a strategy to improve and value primary healthcare professionals' work.
• Addressing the unequal distribution of health professionals in Brazil is a key concern.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present the results of a study on the evaluability of the PROVAB program.
• To determine if PROVAB is suitable for evaluation and identify areas for future assessment.
• To map potential and priority areas for subsequent evaluations.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative research methods were employed between February and November 2013.
• The study involved five stages: document analysis, user identification, strategic analysis, intervention modeling, and lessons learned sharing.
• Data collection included iterative phases of document analysis, key informant interviews, and a workshop.

Main Results:

• The study demonstrated that PROVAB is evaluable.
• A logical model was developed, specifying the program's feasibility.
• Activities were categorized into functional/working conditions, teaching/learning, and management.

Conclusions:

• The PROVAB program's evaluability was confirmed through the development of a logical model.
• Potential and priority areas for future evaluations were identified.
• Future evaluations should focus on the critical issue of health professional distribution in Brazil.