INTEGRAÇÃO ENTRE APS E ATENÇÃO HOSPITALAR: DESAFIOS PARA A CONTINUIDADE DO CUIDADO

Abstract

The integration between Primary Health Care (PHC) and hospital care is a central element in ensuring continuity of care within the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS). This study aimed to analyze the main challenges related to the articulation between these levels of care and their impacts on the comprehensiveness of care. This is an integrative literature review, conducted in national and international databases, encompassing scientific publications between 2015 and 2025. The results show that, despite the recognition of PHC as the coordinator of care, weaknesses persist in referral and counter-referral processes, limitations in information systems, insufficient communication between teams, and a predominance of a hospital-centric model. These factors contribute to the fragmentation of care, avoidable readmissions, and compromised longitudinality of care. It is concluded that strengthening Health Care Networks, combined with professional qualification, improvement of care flows, and investment in information technologies, is fundamental to promoting greater effectiveness and integration between services. Overcoming these challenges is essential to consolidating a user-centered care model, based on comprehensiveness and equity.