Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate association between individual characteristics and organizational readiness for change and the work process of oral health teams. METHODS: This was an exploratory study conducted during the alignment phase of the implementation of MonitoraSB, a proposal for monitoring oral health services in Primary Health Care, conducted in 13 cities in Minas Gerais state, which covered 86 oral health teams. The work process of these teams was evaluated as an outcome related to health services through a self-assessment questionnaire. Determinants of implementation (individual characteristics and organizational readiness for change) were assessed based on the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. Relative frequencies were obtained for categorical variables and median and interquartile range for readiness scores. Latent class analysis grouped the teams according to the work process. Associations were investigated using the chi-square test. RESULTS: A total of 74 teams with 163 professionals participated. The teams were classified as having "elementary work processes" (49.6%) or "consolidated work processes" (50.4%) and presented high organizational readiness scores (median: 51; interquartile range: 11). The highest percentage of teams with consolidated work processes was found in those comprised of professionals with temporary contracts (66.1%), compared to teams with permanent employees (44.7%) (p-value 0.011), and in those having professionals who presented high effectiveness (60.8%) compared to those with low effectiveness (44.7%) (p-value 0.049). CONCLUSION: Teams with greater organizational readiness and less stable employment relationships presented more consolidated work processes more frequently. Organizational readiness should be taken into consideration with the aim of favoring implementation of monitoring initiatives, such as MonitoraSB.