[(Re)visiting some elements of the situational approach: a critical examination of some of Carlos Matus's contributions]. / (Re)visitando alguns elementos do enfoque situacional: um exame crítico de algumas das contribuições de Carlos Matus.

Throughout his work, Carlos Matus offered a number of theoretical and methodological contributions to planning. Among them, I emphasize the understanding of planning as a way of calculation that precedes and presides over the action, the notion of situation, self-reported to the social actor who plans the importance of explanatory procedures and the so-called directional calculation. From a pragmatic reading of science and some contributions by Giddens, this paper examines the theoretical assumptions underlying these contributions. Specifically recognizing the importance of such contributions, it is a reading that radicalizes the self-reporting character, rejecting the claims of constructing a general theory of situational changes, focusing on the ability of social actors themselves to systematize the calculation that precedes and presides over the action from its own repertoire of interpretation. It explores the possibility of understanding the contributions of systematic and explicit calculation that precedes and guides the action as a way of expanding the theoretical understanding of the actions supported by human agents. Finally, we indicate the practical consequences of this (re)reading.

[Travelling citizens: the 'users' of the Brazilian Unified Health System and the meanings of its demand to the health care emergency services in the context of a process of assistential model reorientation]. / Cidadãos peregrinos: os 'usuários' do SUS e os significados de sua demanda a prontos-socorros e hospitais no contexto de um processo de reorientação do modelo assistencial.

Despite the emphasis of the territorial logic on the first level of the public health services network, the users of this health system come demonstrating a historical preference by emergency services. In order to try to understand this behavior, a Qualitative Research was developed, by means of interviews with 'Foci Groups' of public health services users, where it was searched to know their experiences, perceptions and opinions, looking for understanding how do they choose during their search for assistance. The users reject the 'norm' that defines the basic health care services of their territorial reference as their 'entrance door', in favor of other parameters that were more significant for them. The arrangements of the health care organization have the meaning of barriers to the access. Moreover, the user's image in relation to the UBS is of great limitation. On the other hand, the emergency services present for them as spaces characterized by bigger capacity. The users demonstrate a significant indifference about the public health services. Besides, the uncertainty's images prevail in the SUS. But, according to its access necessity, the users learn social rules in the services and construct several strategies with the aim to open the doors of the health system.

[Birth defects in Brazil and health care: proposals for public policies in clinical genetics]. / Atenção aos defeitos congênitos no Brasil: características do atendimento e propostas para formulação de políticas públicas em genética clínica.

The impact of birth defects in Brazil has increased steadily, indicating the need for specific health policy strategies. Despite the close relationship between clinical genetics and management of birth defects, less than 30% of the total demand is currently met by existing genetic services. The main problems are: difficult access to genetic services, services highly concentrated in the South and Southeast regions of the country, and insufficient laboratory support. With the aim of improving management of birth defects, a specific national policy coordinated by the Ministry of Health needs to be developed. The main goal of such a policy should be the organization of a functional integrated genetics network, in addition to rational use of resources and enhanced coverage. In order to formalize a national laboratory network, sample shipping and billing mechanisms must be created. Birth defect prevention, education for the medical community and general population, and solid epidemiological data collection are strongly recommended as complementary measures. If such recommendations are implemented, it could be possible to organize a network for management of birth defects in Brazil that is regionalized, hierarchical, functional, and democratic as well.

Medical genetic services in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Rio de Janeiro is a state with close to 15 million inhabitants and approximately 250,000 births per year. The state counts nine clinical genetic units in public institutions, providing for 9,400 outpatient consultations yearly, which is insufficient to cover the estimated needs. Laboratory tests such as cytogenetics, inborn errors of metabolism and molecular studies are available on a limited basis. Newborn screening in the public health system is being performed for phenylketonuria, congenital hypothyroidism and sickle cell disease. In the state there are also special treatment programs for osteogenesis imperfecta and Gaucher's disease, subsidized by the Brazilian Ministry of Health. Presently, efforts of medical geneticists are concentrated on highlighting the practical relevance of clinical genetics, and the need to integrate the specialty into the public health system in a functional network of genetic services.