Caracterización de los servicios de promoción de la salud y prevención de la enfermedad en cuatro instituciones de salud del municipio de Medellín, 2015

This is a descriptive study that allowed for the characterization of the health promotion and disease prevention programs and activities in four high-complexity health institutions in Medellín. By means of a descriptive study of a series of cases, two semi-structured survey instruments were applied through which information was collected on: structure and functioning, approach, beneficiary communities, methodologies, and work teams. We found that all four institutions develop activities of this type, with a focus on tertiary prevention consistent with their level of complexity; they are essentially oriented to the patient and their families, and, sometimes, to the community; employees also benefit from occupational health; the activities are developed by professionals from different disciplines; their operation depends in general terms on scientific management; and no particular area was identified to manage the activities articulately. We considered important that the institutions manifest to be in favor of integral health care models where the promotion and prevention activities are coordinated with clinical care.