Health management in Brazil: dialogue with public and private managers

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify the main health management issues in Brazil according to the opinion of managers who were intentionally chosen. Data was collected from July to November 2010, through key-informant interviews: two directors from national reference private hospitals, located in Southeast Brazil; and executive authorities of the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS), one of each government level - municipal, state, and federal managers. SUS management was considered outdated; the system was defined as lacking stable funding and having flaws in planning and service assessment. Moreover, both sectors lack professionalization in management. In conclusion, SUS is still in consolidation and requires more resources, stable funding and management able to bring its principles and guidelines into reality. Management issues affect both public and private sectors and the public-private partnerships have not been oriented by public responsibility.