A pessoa idosa na Atenção Primária à Saúde: um estudo bibliométrico da produção científica internacional

Abstract

Introduction: The aging of the world population is an achievement of humanity, but it also proves to be one of the greatest challenges, since it will result in new paradigms and political, social, economic and health demands. Thus, it is essential to discuss the aspects that involve the elderly and primary health care. Objective: To conduct a bibliometric analysis of the scientific production indexed by the Web of Science database regarding aspects involving the elderly and primary health care. Methods: Bibliometric review using the terms “Primary health care” and “Elderly*” in the Web of Science database, between 1974 and 2016, analyzing the records on the basis of a review of the literature on the subject in question with the HistCite software. Results: A total of 700 articles were identified in 313 journals, from 2834 authors linked to 1138 institutions in 61 countries, totaling 1745 references, averaging approximately 28 references per article. The Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care had 4% of the papers, and the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, the greatest impact factor. The most cited authors were gathered in only five universities, highlighting Linkoping University with 4% of all publications; and three countries, Sweden, Brazil and the United States, accounted for 2% of the articles, with Brazil occupying first place,. Conclusions: The studies reveal important aspects involving the elderly and primary health care, such as problems of non-compliance with health care for this population, by professionals and the elderly themselves, pointing to dehumanization and consequent lack of prioritization of this age group in the context of health. With the imminent aging of populations, it is essential that this topic be prioritized, expanding the debate on this demographic transition and its consequences for the entire population, aiming at alternatives that can minimize the impacts and new paradigms for products and services aimed at the elderly population, especially in primary care, the gateway to the entire health service and the main social link between the elderly and quality of life. It also highlights the need for continuing education of professionals and the improvement of this level of care to serve this population, which is increasingly growing