Background:

Given that a considerable amount of care is provided in primary health care settings, a better understanding of patient safety at this level of care is essential.

Objective:

To explore the perceptions of patient safety among healthcare professionals working in family health teams.

Methodology:

An exploratory study, using a qualitative approach, was carried out with 23 health professionals (nurses, nurse technicians, physicians, and community health agents) from six family health strategy teams in Brazil. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using Bardin’s thematic content analysis method.

Results:

Two thematic categories emerged from the data analysis: (Lack of) Knowledge about patient safety principles and Professionals’ actions and strategies for promoting patient safety.

Conclusion:

Patient safety in primary health care is an issue still poorly understood among the study participants. The nurses were the only professionals who highlighted its current impact.

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