Abstract

AYRES, José Ricardo de Carvalho Mesquita et al. Ways of comprehensiveness: adolescentes and young adults in Primary Healthcare. Interface (Botucatu) [online]. 2012, vol.16, n.40, pp. 67-82.  Epub Apr 26, 2012. ISSN 1414-3283.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1414-32832012005000021.

Adolescents and young adults constitute an important challenge in constructing comprehensiveness within primary healthcare. This is because of the complexity of understanding and responding to their set of healthcare needs, consequent to the growth and development process that is characteristic of this phase, and especially to the related sociocultural factors. The present study sought to recognize the reach and limits of how the comprehensiveness principle has been operated at a primary healthcare unit. Although it was possible to identify effective perception of the specific healthcare needs of this group, it was also possible to observe important limitations relating to construction of care projects capable of integrating the various aims of the day-to-day work, insufficiency of professional and sectorial interactions, and weaknesses in communications among professionals and between professionals and users.

Keywords : Adolescents; Young adults; Comprehensive healthcare; Primary healthcare.