ABSTRACT
The study aimed to understand how the resource of the National Program for Improving Access and Quality of Primary Care (PMAQ-AB) was used at the municipal level, as a payment-for-performance strategy, in the state of Paraíba. This is a descriptive study with a quantitative approach. 219 municipalities of a total of 223 in the state participated in the study, with which an inquiry was carried out with municipal managers in 2018. The data underwent descriptive statistical analysis. Results show that most municipalities have adopted a municipal law as a rule to regulate the use of financial incentives under the PMAQ-AB. External evaluation was the main criterion for transferring financial resources to health teams. During cycles, more actors received resources in addition to the minimum team of the family health strategy and the transfer was made on a biannual and annual basis, with around 40% to 50% of the amount allocated to the teams and the remainder invested in improvements in work conditions. It is concluded that the resources of the PMAQ-AB were used with a homogeneous trend in the municipalities of Paraíba, transferring financial incentives to workers, but also being concerned with investments in the working conditions of the teams.
KEYWORDS
Primary Health Care; Remuneration; Resource management