EVALUATION IN HEALTH PRACTICE: HISTORICAL, THEORETICAL APPROACHES AND STRENGTHENING OF INSTITUTIONALIZATION

Abstract

Objectives: This paper aims to broaden the knowledge of managers, researchers, and health professionals about the topic: “Health Care Evaluation”, so as to institutionalize this evaluation, in order to strengthen its inclusion as a routine practice of health services, programs, and policies. Material and methods: This is a theoretical review of scientific papers, journals and books related to the topic, by means of a meta-analysis through a search on the Scielo and Bireme databases, from the sources Medline and Lilacs. Results and conclusion: The various authors specialized in the topic are unanimous in highlighting the importance of the Evaluation as an intrinsic activity of any health practices. Although in recent years there have been several government initiatives for the construction and strengthening of an evaluation policy — specifically in the primary care — it has not yet become part of the institutional culture, appearing in a poorly systematic and systematized manner and not always contributing to the decision making process, requiring, thus, technical and political investments by the sectoral public administration. Descriptors: Health Care Evaluation; Institutionalization; Health Services.