Profile of primary health care professionals linked to una-sus specialization program in family health in Rio Grande Do Sul

Abstract

In Brazil Primary Health Care (PHC) is the gateway to health service of the Unified Health System. The network consists of health unit where professionals seek to meet local needs fairly and effectively, and it must rely on trained professionals to work in community health prevention and maintenance. The aim of this study is to describe the profile of PHC professionals who are linked to UNA-SUS-UFCSPA's Specialization Program in Family Health. A cross-sectional study with health professionals who work in PHC in Rio Grande do Sul and were linked to the program between 2011 and 2013 was conducted to observe the characteristics of professionals and their relationship with work. Among the participants (277), the majority are women, nurses with an average of 35 years, professionals for less than 10 years, 88% work in FHS, and 73.1% with oral health team. The completed a graduate degree focused on PHC was observed in 30% of the professionals; 56.3% were working their first job in PHC, with a median of 4.5 years of operation; and 40.4% engaged in another paid activity (77% physicians). It was observed that 59% were satisfied with their type of employment, and most participants showed to be satisfied with their general working conditions (58.1%) and the physical structure and equipment of the health unit (58.3%). Younger professionals and with little expertise in the area were observed, however all of them were seeking development through Specialization to improve their performance in PHC.