Voces de la academia y los tomadores de decisiones del Oriente Colombiano ante la implementación del Modelo Integral de Atención en Salud

Introduction: Since 2011, there has been an increasing interest to re-incorporate primary health care (PHC) strategy in healthcare services and academic debates. After the promulgation of the new healthcare model (MIAS) in 2016, this interest has been made explicit by all actors involved in the health benefits program of the Social Security System (SGSSS). According to the guidelines proposed by the Colombian PHC Alliance, regional meetings have been held to identify potentialities and limitations for implementing the PHC strategy within the framework of the new healthcare policy. Objective: To socialize the analysis carried out by decision-makers and academics related to the implementation of the new healthcare policy in the east of the country. Methodology: Three workshops were held with the participation of 30 representatives of 11 higher-education institutions and 17 decision makers from four departments of the east of the country. Qualitative research methodology based on focus groups was applied. Results: Academics and decision-makers identified challenges related to understanding the conceptual aspects of the Model’s population focus and raised awareness about the need of a critical assessment of curricula and professional competencies of health professionals. Conclusion: The discussion topics emerged from the debate included structural and functional aspects of the Health System that represent challenges to health authorities beyond the mere operationalization of the model.