RECEPTION AND CONNECTION IN PHC: PERCEPTIONS OF HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
Reception. Primary Health Care. Health Professionals. Humanization of Care.
Introduction: Reception in Primary Health Care (PHC) is a practice based on qualified listening, respect, and shared responsibility, and is essential for building bonds between professionals and patients. Therefore, by promoting attentive listening and strengthening bonds, reception becomes an indispensable strategy for ensuring patients seek health services and effectively addressing their needs. Objective: To understand health professionals' perceptions of the importance of reception and connection in the context of PHC care. Methodology: This is a qualitative study with a descriptive-exploratory design. Data collection took place from February 2025 to July 2025. The study population consists of health professionals working in PHC in the municipality of Santa Cruz, Rio Grande do Norte. Considering the qualitative nature of the research, the sample size was determined based on data saturation. Data collection was conducted using an individual semi-structured questionnaire, and data were analyzed using Bardin's content analysis technique. Once the corpus was formatted, the data were processed in IRaMuTeQ® (version 0.8a7), and Descending Hierarchical Classification (DHC), word cloud analysis, and similarity graph analysis were requested. Expected results: Nine healthcare professionals were interviewed. The interviewees perceived welcoming as an essential tool in the PHC context and favors the development of professional-patient bonds. Categorization was performed by integrating the research objectives with Bardin's content analysis and the IRaMuTeQ® DHC results. The DHC generated seven classes. These classes were subsequently grouped into two broad categories: one related to social interactions in the care process and the other related to the organization/structure of services. The seven classes are: "Aspects involved in care"; "Feelings related to welcoming"; "Actions for effective welcoming"; "Organization and flow in the unit"; "Bonding and continuity of care"; "Care and listening"; "Communication and qualified listening." Thus, the classes highlight the aspects that permeate the context of user care, with an emphasis on actions that strengthen the relationship between users and professionals. The word cloud also highlighted the "patient" as the center of these actions. Furthermore, through analysis of the participants' statements, it was possible to identify how these practices are understood and applied, and the challenges professionals face in implementing them. Final considerations: This study proposes a reflection on welcoming and bonding in PHC, considering the importance of these elements for the humanization and effectiveness of care. By recognizing these elements ascentral to strengthening PHC, the research findings prompt reflections on the importance of welcoming and how this principle impacts the process of user care.