RESUMO

Worldwide, there are an insufficient number of primary care physicians to provide accessible, high-quality primary care services. Better knowledge on the health impacts of policies aimed at improving access to primary care physicians is important for informing future policies. Using a generalised synthetic control estimator (GSC), we estimate the effect of the increase in primary care physicians from the Programa Mais Médicos in Brazil. The GSC allows us to estimates a continuous treatment effects which are heterogenous by region. We exploit the variation in physicians allocated to each Brazilian microregion to identify the impact of an increasing Mais Médicos primary care physicians. We explore hospitalisations and mortality rates (both total and from ambulatory care sensitive conditions) as outcomes. Our analysis differs from previous work by estimating the impact of the increase in physician numbers, as opposed to the overall impact of programme participation. We examine the impact on hospitalisations and mortality rates and employ a panel dataset with monthly observations of all Brazilian microregion over the period 2008-2017. We find limited effects of an increase in primary care physicians impacting health outcomes - with no significant impact of the Programa Mais Médicos on hospitalisations or mortality rates. Potential explanations include substitution of other health professionals, impacts materialising over the longer-term, and poor within-region allocation of Mais Médicos physicians.

Assuntos

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: Despite the resources and personnel mobilized in Latin America and the Caribbean to reduce the maternal mortality ratio (MMR, maternal deaths per 100 000 live births) in women aged 10-54 years by 75% between 2000 and 2015, the region failed to meet the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) due to persistent barriers to access quality reproductive, maternal, and neonatal health services. METHODS: Using 1990-2019 data from the Global Burden of Disease project, we carried out a two-stepwise analysis to (a) identify the differences in the MMR temporal patterns and (b) assess its relationship with selected indicators: government health expenditure (GHE), the GHE as percentage of gross domestic product (GDP), the availability of human resources for health (HRH), the coverage of effective interventions to reduce maternal mortality, and the level of economic development of each country. FINDINGS: In the descriptive analysis, we observed a heterogeneous overall reduction of MMR in the region between 1990 and 2019 and heterogeneous overall increases in the GHE, GHE/GDP, and HRH availability. The correlation analysis showed a close, negative, and dependent association of the economic development level between the MMR and GHE per capita, the percentage of GHE to GDP, the availability of HRH, and the coverage of SBA. We observed the lowest MMRs when GHE as a percentage of GDP was close to 3% or about US$400 GHE per capita, HRH availability of 6 doctors, nurses, and midwives per 1,000 inhabitants, and skilled birth attendance levels above 90%. CONCLUSIONS: Within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agenda, health policies aimed at the effective reduction of maternal mortality should consider allocating more resources as a necessary but not sufficient condition to achieve the goals and should prioritize the implementation of new forms of care with a gender and rights approach, as well as strengthening actions focused on vulnerable groups.

Assuntos

RESUMO

RESUMO Introdução: A implementação da Política Nacional de Saúde Integral de Lésbicas, Gays, Bissexuais, Travestis e Transexuais (PNSI-LGBTT) em 2011 e de outros marcos legais destaca a importância da inclusão da identidade de gênero e da orientação sexual na formação em saúde. Objetivo: Nesse contexto, o presente estudo tem como objetivo apresentar a presença da diversidade sexual e de gênero nas Diretrizes Curriculares Nacionais (DCN) dos cursos de graduação em saúde. Método: A coleta de dados foi realizada por meio de documentos de acesso público disponíveis no site do MEC. Examinaram-se 22 DCN estabelecidas nas últimas duas décadas, com foco nos registros de direitos humanos, identidade de gênero e orientação sexual. Resultado: Houve um aumento progressivo na inclusão das minorias sexuais nas DCN ao longo das duas últimas décadas, sobretudo nos últimos dez anos. Destaca-se um notável crescimento nos registros de direitos humanos, identidade de gênero e orientação sexual, refletindo uma mudança significativa no panorama das DCN. Conclusão: Os resultados evidenciam uma tendência positiva de inclusão de temas relacionados à diversidade sexual e de gênero nas DCN da área da saúde. Esse avanço sugere maior conscientização e reconhecimento da importância de uma formação inclusiva para profissionais de saúde, promovendo a equidade e a justiça social.

ABSTRACT Introduction: The implementation of the National Policy for Comprehensive Health for Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transvestites and Transsexuals (PNSI-LGBTT) in 2011, together with other legal frameworks, highlights the importance of including Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation in health training. In this context, the present study aims to demonstrate the presence of sexual and gender diversity in the National Curricular Guidelines (DCN) of undergraduate health courses. Method: Data collection was carried out through publicly accessible documents available on the MEC website. Twenty-two DCNs established in the last two decades were assessed, focusing on records of Human Rights, Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation. Results: There has been a progressive increase in the inclusion of sexual minorities in the DCNs over the last two decades, especially in the last ten years. A notable growth in records of Human Rights, Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation stands out, reflecting a significant change in the panorama of curricular guidelines. Discussion: The results show a positive trend towards the inclusion of topics related to sexual and gender diversity in the DCNs in the health area. This advance suggests greater awareness and recognition of the importance of inclusive training for health professionals, promoting equity and social justice.

RESUMO

Abordar la planificación de recursos humanos en salud requiere de metodologías rigurosas y con datos de calidad que sean factibles y útiles para la toma de decisiones informadas. Se plantea identificar los principales aportes, las limitaciones y algunos desafíos del proceso de estimación de brechas entre la necesidad y oferta real de los recursos humanos en salud desde una perspectiva de salud pública. La metodología se basa en analizar los estudios en Uruguay a partir de fuentes primarias y una revisión de bibliografía de estudios de casos en el mundo. La realización de los estudios de brechas en las especialidades médicas son técnicamente factibles en sistemas de salud de diversos países. La información se encuentra disponible de manera directa en las bases de datos o a través de la elaboración de variables proxy, dependiendo de si el enfoque está más centrado en la demanda y utilización real de los servicios o en la identificación de los problemas y la necesidad de salud de la población.

Addressing human resources planning in healthcare requires rigorous methodologies and high-quality data that are feasible and useful for informed decision-making. The objective is to identify the primary contributions, limitations, and some challenges of the gap estimation process between the actual need and supply of human resources in health, from a public health perspective. The methodology relies on analyzing studies from Uruguay using primary sources and conducting a literature review of case studies from various countries worldwide. The conduct of gap studies in medical specialties is technically feasible in healthcare systems across various countries on all five continents. The information is readily available either directly in databases or through the creation of proxy variables, depending on whether the focus is more on the actual demand and utilization of services or on the identification of problems and health needs of the population.

Abordar o planejamento de recursos humanos em saúde requer metodologias rigorosas com dados de qualidade que sejam viáveis e úteis para a tomada de decisões informada. Propõe-se identificar as principais contribuições, limitações e alguns desafios do processo de estimativa de lacunas entre a necessidade e a real oferta de recursos humanos em saúde, numa perspectiva de saúde pública. A metodologia baseia-se na análise de estudos do Uruguai a partir de fontes primárias e na revisão bibliográfica de estudos de caso em vários países do mundo. A realização de estudos de lacunas em especialidades médicas é tecnicamente viável nos sistemas de saúde de vários países dos cinco continentes. A informação é disponibilizada diretamente nas bases de dados ou através do desenvolvimento de variáveis proxy, dependendo se a abordagem está orientada na real procura e utilização dos serviços ou na identificação de problemas e necessidades de saúde da população.

Assuntos

RESUMO

The Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) and World Health Organization have encouraged countries across Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) to incorporate interprofessional education and collaborative practice (IPECP) into policies on the health workforce, and support policymakers in expanding its use. PAHO recommend countries to promote the development of interprofessional teams in integrated health services networks using IPECP. The creation of the Regional Network for Interprofessional Education in the Americas, the mobilization of a series of IPECP regional meetings, and the development of national IPECP action plans are the most promising results achieved thus far. This report describes the process of implementing IPECP in LAC countries as an innovative initiative in interprofessional health policy.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Políticas públicas, frequentemente, estão associadas a legados históricos constituídos em processos políticos nos quais atores agem em prol da mudança ou da estabilidade institucional. Este artigo apresenta uma proposta teórico-metodológica que usa o process tracing na identificação dos processos mais relevantes para o estudo da trajetória de políticas, por intermédio das lentes teóricas oferecidas pelos estudos sobre processo político e Teoria da Mudança Institucional Gradual. Essa abordagem teórico-metodológica possibilitou a identificação e a compreensão da influência de diferentes atores, de arranjos institucionais e mudanças na política para a força de trabalho médica (PFTM) da década de 1960 a 2010, bem como propiciou que se apreendesse na análise a importância da ação de atores que dirigiram o Ministério da Saúde, a partir de 2003, interessados em direcionar a PFTM às necessidades do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS).(AU)

Con frecuencia, las políticas públicas están asociadas a legados históricos constituidos en procesos políticos en los cuales los actores actúan en pro del cambio o de la estabilidad institucional. Este artículo presenta una propuesta teórico-metodológica que usa el process tracing en la identificación de los procesos más relevantes para el estudio de la trayectoria de políticas por intermedio de las lentes teóricas ofrecidas por los estudios sobre proceso político y Teoría del Cambio Institucional Gradual. Ese abordaje teórico-metodológico posibilitó la identificación y la comprensión de la influencia de diferentes actores, de arreglos institucionales y cambios en la política para la fuerza de trabajo médica (PFTM) de la década de 1960 a 2010, así como propició que se captase en el análisis la importancia de la acción de actores que dirigieron el Ministerio de la Salud, a partir de 2003, interesados en dirigir la PFTM hacia las necesidades del Sistema Único de Salud.(AU)

Public policies are often associated with historical legacies constituted by political processes in which actors seek to promote institutional change or maintain stability. This article presents a theoretical and methodological framework that uses process tracing to identify the most relevant processes for the study of the trajectory of policy through a theoretical lens that draws on studies of the public policy process and the theory of gradual institutional change. The framework enabled us to identify changes in medical workforce policy (MWP) between the 1960s and 2010s and understand the influence of different actors and institutional arrangements. Our findings also reveal the importance of the role of ministry of health executives interested in tailoring MWP to the needs of Brazil's public health system from 2003.(AU)

RESUMO

Introducción: mejorar la salud de la población, considerando acceso universal con equidad, requiere de un número de profesionales y una distribución de los mismos adecuada a los problemas de salud de las personas. Las metodologías rigurosas deberían incorporar la identificación de las necesidades en salud para poder cumplir con este principio. Objetivo: estimar estándares de necesidad de nefrólogos para la población de Uruguay en 2020. Método: se conformó un grupo de referentes en nefrología procedentes de la academia y/o Sociedad Científica, se recabaron antecedentes y fuentes de la especialidad vinculadas a los problemas de salud renal en la población. Se definieron un conjunto de supuestos y condiciones iniciales. Se estimó la necesidad de nefrólogos de Uruguay para el año 2020, total del país y por departamento, expresada en valores absolutos y en términos de tasas de profesionales respecto a la población. Se identificaron escenarios alternativos de necesidad a partir de modificaciones de las condiciones iniciales. Resultados: para todo el país la necesidad de nefrólogos se estima entre 139 y 192 profesionales, esto implica una tasa de necesidad en un rango de 39 a 54 por millón de habitantes. Conclusiones: el estudio es el primero en Uruguay en reportar estándares de necesidad de nefrólogos expresados en términos de tasas de especialistas por población en diferentes escenarios definidos a partir de criterios que han sido explicitados y fundamentados.

Introduction: improving the health of populations by means of favoring universal access with equity requires the appropriate number and right distribution of professionals, according to the different health problems people face. Rigorous methodologies should include identification of health requirements in order to comply with this principle. Objective: to estimate the demand for nephrologists in the Uruguayan population in 2020. Method: a group of reference nephrologists - scholars or members of the scientific society - was formed to forecast the demand for these specialists. To that end they reviewed historical data and sources of this field of knowledge that have some connection with kidney diseases in the studied population. Subsequently, a number of assumptions and initial conditions were defined to conduct the study. The demand for nephrologists in Uruguay by 2020 was estimated for the whole country and by department, and it was expressed in absolute values and professional-to-population ratio. Alternative requirement scenarios were identified based on modifications to the initial conditions. Results: the demand for nephrologists is between 139 and 192 professionals, which implies a 39 to 54 per 1 million inhabitants ratio. Conclusions: this is the first one of this kind of studies conducted in Uruguay to report standards for nephrologists requirement in specialists per one million inhabitants, for different scenarios defined based on criteria that have been made explicit and backed.

Introdução: melhorar a saúde da população, considerando o acesso universal com equidade, requer um número de profissionais com uma distribuição adequada aos problemas de saúde das pessoas. Para cumprir este princípio são necessárias metodologias rigorosas que incorporem a identificação das necessidades de saúde. Objetivo: estimar padrões de necessidade de nefrologistas para a população do Uruguai em 2020. Método: formou-se um grupo de referência em nefrologia da academia e/ou Sociedade Científica, que pesquisaram os antecedentes e as fontes da especialidade ligados a problemas de saúde renal na população. Um conjunto de premissas e condições iniciais foi definido. A necessidade de nefrologistas no Uruguai foi estimada para o ano de 2020, para o total do país e por departamento, expressa em valores absolutos e em termos de proporção de profissionais para a população. Cenários alternativos de necessidade foram identificados com base em modificações das condições iniciais. Resultados: para todo o país, a necessidade de nefrologistas está entre 139 e 192 profissionais, o que implica uma taxa de necessidade na faixa de 39 a 54 por milhão de habitantes. Conclusões: o estudo é o primeiro no Uruguai a relatar padrões de necessidade de nefrologistas expressos em termos de taxas de especialistas por população, em diferentes cenários definidos com base em critérios explicados e fundamentados.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Este artigo analisa a trajetória, de 1960 até 2021, das políticas que buscaram enfrentar a questão (issue) das insuficiências na oferta e formação de médicos para o sistema de saúde. Foi utilizado o método process tracing, com uso de análises bibliográfica, documental e de entrevistas com dirigentes governamentais do período de 2003 a 2019. Os recursos teóricos do Neoinstitucionalismo Histórico e da Teoria da Mudança Institucional Gradual foram utilizados para analisar legados históricos que influenciaram a formulação do Programa Mais Médicos (PMM), que decorreram de sua implementação e que seguem influenciando políticas posteriores. Entre os principais legados no período pré-SUS estão o Projeto Rondon, Programa de Interiorização das Ações de Saúde e Saneamento e as tentativas de implementar o serviço civil obrigatório. Após o surgimento do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), destacam-se mudanças institucionais para sua implementação, a Estratégia de Saúde da Família, experiências estaduais de cooperação com Cuba, dois programas de provimento e dois de incentivos às mudanças curriculares dos cursos de medicina, alteração da lei do financiamento estudantil e no processo de revalidação dos diplomas estrangeiros de medicina. Embora a partir de 2016 tenham sido realizadas mudanças no PMM, os legados do programa dificultaram sua suspensão, seguem influenciando programas como o Médicos pelo Brasil (PMPB) e fez o governo atual usar a institucionalidade do PMM, e não a do PMPB, para enfrentar a crise sanitária decorrente da pandemia da covid-19. A análise evidenciou rupturas, continuidades, transformações e inclusões nas políticas de regulação, formação e provimento de médicos para o sistema de saúde.

This paper analyzes the trajectory, from 1960 to 2021, of policies addressing the issue of shortages in the supply and training of physicians for the health care system. Data was collected by means of bibliographic and documental analysis and interviews with government leaders from 2003 to 2019, using the process tracing method. Historical Neo-institutionalism and the Theory of Gradual Institutional Change were used to analyze historical legacies that influenced the formulation of the Mais Médicos Program (PMM), that derived from its implementation, and that continue to influence subsequent policies. Among the main legacies in the pre-SUS period are the Rondon Project, the Program for Interiorization of Health and Sanitation Actions, and the attempts to implement compulsory civil service. After the Unified Health System (SUS) establishment, institutional changes for its implementing stand out: the Family Health Strategy, state experiences of cooperation with Cuba, two provision programs and two incentive programs for curricular changes in medical courses, changes in the student financing law, and in the revalidation process of foreign medical degrees. Although changes have been made to the PMM since 2016, its legacies have made its suspension difficult, continue to influence programs such as Médicos Pelo Brasil (PMPB), and led the current government to use the PMM institutionality, rather than that of the PMPB, to address the COVID-19 pandemic health crisis. The analysis unveiled ruptures, continuities, transformations and inclusions in the policies for regulating, training, and providing doctors for the health system.

Este artículo analiza la trayectoria, desde 1960 hasta 2021, de las políticas que buscaron abordar el tema (issue) de las insuficiencias en la oferta y formación de médicos para el sistema de salud. Se utilizó el método process tracing, con el análisis bibliográfico, documental y entrevistas a funcionarios gubernamentales en el periodo desde 2003 hasta 2019. Se utilizaron los recursos teóricos del Neoinstitucionalismo Histórico y la Teoría del Cambio Institucional Gradual para analizar los legados históricos que influyeron en la creación del Programa Más Médicos (PMM), en su implementación y que continúan influyendo en las políticas posteriores. Entre los principales legados del periodo anterior al SUS están el Proyecto Rondon, el Programa de Interiorización de las Acciones de Salud y Saneamiento y los intentos de implementación del servicio civil obligatorio. Tras el surgimiento del Sistema Único de Salud (SUS), se destacan cambios institucionales para su implementación: la Estrategia de Salud Familiar, experiencias estatales de cooperación con Cuba, dos programas de prestación de servicios y dos de promoción de cambios curriculares en los cursos de medicina, reforma de la ley de financiación de estudiantes y en proceso de revalidación de títulos extranjeros de medicina. Aunque se hicieron cambios en el PMM a partir de 2016, los legados del programa dificultaron su interrupción, continúan influyendo en programas como el de Médicos para Brasil (PMPB) e hicieron que el gobierno actual utilizara el marco institucional del PMM, y no el de el PMPB, para enfrentar la crisis sanitaria derivada de la pandemia del Covid-19. El análisis mostró rupturas, continuidades, transformaciones e inclusiones en las políticas de regulación, formación y disposición de médicos para el sistema de salud.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Resumo O objetivo deste artigo é analisar o processo de formulação do Programa Mais Médicos (PMM). O estudo procurou responder: (1) Por que o PMM foi formulado com seu formato específico e (2) Quais atores, ideias e instituições influenciaram seu processo de formulação? Para isso, foram analisadas as soluções presentes no debate público para as insuficiências na oferta e formação de médicos, desde os anos 1960 até a criação do PMM. O método adotado foi de process tracing, com uso de análises bibliográfica, documental e de entrevistas. Foram utilizados, principalmente, os recursos teóricos oferecidos pelos estudos sobre processo político e a Teoria da Mudança Institucional Gradual. Dentre os principais resultados, destacam-se os seguintes: o desenho do programa foi modificado significativamente desde sua proposição pelo Poder Executivo até sua aprovação como lei; a conjuntura favorável, caracterizada pela aprovação popular e política do programa, junto à ação estratégica de seus formuladores, permitiu a ampliação de escopo, aproximando o PMM dos princípios defendidos pela Comunidade de Políticas Movimento Sanitário; o seu formato foi influenciado por políticas implementadas em períodos anteriores e por ideias defendidas anteriormente pelos seus principais formuladores.

Abstract This study analyzes the formulation process of the More Doctors Program (Programa Mais Médicos - PMM), to answer the following questions: (1) Why was the PMM formulated with its specific format and (2) which actors, ideas, and institutions influenced its formulation process. To do so, we examine the solutions the public debate proposed to the medical supply and training insufficiencies from the 1960s until the creatin of the PMM. Based on process tracing, this study analyzed bibliographic, documentary, and interview data. Studies on political process and the theory of gradual institutional change formed its theoretical background. Results showed that the government significantly modified the program design from its proposal until its approval. The favorable scenario, characterized by the popular and political approval of the Program, together with its formulators' strategic actions, enabled the expansion of its scope, approaching the principles which the health movement policy community defended. Finally, previously implemented policies and its main formulators' ideas influenced its format.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Este estudo aborda o tema de sistemas de informação utilizados na gestão de recursos humanos em saúde na Secretaria de Estado de Saúde do Rio de Janeiro (SES/RJ), órgão da Administração Direta do Poder Executivo do Estado. A SES/RJ é responsável por definir políticas de saúde no Estado, a qual utiliza vários sistemas de informação para gestão de sua força de trabalho, com evidências de fragmentação dos dados, dificuldade na gestão das informações e prejuízo na definição de estratégias. Nesse sentido, este trabalho tem como objetivo descrever os sistemas de informação de recursos humanos em uso na SES/RJ, no contexto dos modelos de gestão adotados em suas unidades de saúde, e contribuir para melhorar a gestão de recursos humanos e das informações geradas no âmbito da instituição, fornecendo subsídios para o processo de tomada de decisão. Para tanto, fez-se, primeiramente, uma revisão bibliográfica sobre o tema desde o ano de 1995, período da Reforma do Estado, e uma pesquisa documental em portais e legislações, tanto da SES/RJ como de outros órgãos estaduais, assim como das esferas federal e municipal. Em seguida, o trabalho discute as possibilidades e os subsídios que possam favorecer a interoperabilidade desses sistemas e, assim, facilitar a gestão da força de trabalho na instituição.

This study investigates the use of information systems in the administration of human resources in health at the Rio de Janeiro State Department of Health (SES/RJ), which is part of the Direct Administration of the State Government. SES/RJ oversees establishing state health policies and managing its staff using a variety of information systems, with evidence of data fragmentation, information management challenges, and strategy development impairment. In this sense, this study aims to describe the human resources information systems in use at SES/RJ in relation to the management models used in its health units, as well as to contribute to improving human resources management and the information generated within the institution by providing decision-making inputs. To that end, we conducted a bibliographic review of the topic dating back to 1995, during the State Reform period, as well as document search in the portals and legislation of SES/RJ and other state agencies, as well as federal and municipal domains. The study then moves on to the possibilities and advantages that may encourage system interoperability and, as a result, make labor management in the institution easier.

Assuntos

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: Providing sufficient numbers of human resources for health is essential for effective and accessible health services. Between 2013 and 2018, the Brazilian Ministry of Health implemented the Programa Mais Médicos (PMM) (More Doctors Programme) to increase the supply of primary care doctors in underserved areas of the country. This study investigated the association between PMM and infant health outcomes and assessed if heterogeneity in the impact of PMM varied by municipal socio-economic factors and health indicators. METHODS: An ecological longitudinal (panel) study design was employed to analyse data from 5565 Brazilian municipalities over a 12-year period between 2007 and 2018. A differences-in-differences approach was implemented using longitudinal fixed effect regression models to compare infant health outcomes in municipalities receiving a PMM doctor with those that did not receive a PMM doctor. The impact of PMM was assessed on aggregate and in municipality subgroups. RESULTS: On aggregate, the PMM was not significantly associated with changes in infant or neonatal mortality, but the PMM was associated with reductions in infant mortality rate (IMR) (of - 0.21; 95% CI: - 0.38, - 0.03) in municipalities with highest IMR prior to the programme's implementation (where (IMR) > 25.2 infant deaths per 1000 live births). The PMM was also associated with an increase in the proportion of expectant mothers receiving seven or more prenatal care visits but only in municipalities with a lower IMR at baseline and high density of non-PMM doctors and community health workers before the PMM. CONCLUSIONS: The PMM was associated with reduced infant mortality in municipalities with the highest infant mortality rate prior to the programme. This suggests effectiveness of the PMM was limited only to the areas of greatest need. New programmes to improve the equitable provision of human resources for health should employ comprehensive targeting approaches balancing health needs and socio-economic factors to maximize effectiveness.

Assuntos

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: Investing in human resources for health (HRH) is vital for achieving universal health care and the Sustainable Development Goals. The Programa Mais Médicos (PMM) (More Doctors Programme) provided 17,000 doctors, predominantly from Cuba, to work in Brazilian primary care. This study assesses whether PMM doctor allocation to municipalities was consistent with programme criteria and associated impacts on amenable mortality. METHODS: Difference-in-differences regression analysis, exploiting variation in PMM introduction across 5565 municipalities over the period 2008-2017, was employed to examine programme impacts on doctor density and mortality amenable to healthcare. Heterogeneity in effects was explored with respect to doctor allocation criteria and municipal doctor density prior to PMM introduction. RESULTS: After starting in 2013, PMM was associated with an increase in PMM-contracted primary care doctors of 15.1 per 100,000 population. However, largescale substitution of existing primary care doctors resulting in a net increase of only 5.7 per 100,000. Increases in both PMM and total primary care doctors were lower in priority municipalities due to lower allocation of PMM doctors and greater substitution effects. The PMM led to amenable mortality reductions of - 1.06 per 100,000 (95%CI: - 1.78 to - 0.34) annually - with greater benefits in municipalities prioritised for doctor allocation and where doctor density was low before programme implementation. CONCLUSIONS: PMM potential health benefits were undermined due to widespread allocation of doctors to non-priority areas and local substitution effects. Policies seeking to strengthen HRH should develop and implement needs-based criteria for resource allocation.

Assuntos

RESUMO

A Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde dos países de língua portuguesa foi desenvolvida para facilitar o acesso à informação científica e técnica para estudantes, docentes e profissionais de saúde dos países envolvidos. O objetivo deste artigo é descrever a criação e o seu desenvolvimento nos países de língua portuguesa por meio da Rede ePORTUGUÊSe da Organização Mundial de Saúde. Utilizou-se uma metodologia qualitativa baseada em revisão da literatura e análise da documentação técnica, científica e administrativa disponível em repositórios públicos internacionais e instituições nacionais, incluindo relatórios do programa ePORTUGUÊSe entre 2005 e 2015. O desenvolvimento e operacionalização da Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde foi gradual e individualizado e fortemente dependente do envolvimento de profissionais e instituições locais. Mudanças nas prioridades políticas e dificuldades econômicas levaram à sua desaceleração. O aumento da conectividade na África e acesso à Internet estão criando novas oportunidades para retomar seu desenvolvimento nos países de língua portuguesa.

The Virtual Health Library of the Portuguese speaking countries was developed to facilitate access to scientific and technical information for students, teachers, and health professionals in the countries involved. This article aims to describe its development in Portuguese-speaking countries through the World Health Organization's ePORTUGUÊSe Network. It was used a qualitative methodology based on literature review and analysis of technical, scientific, and administrative documentation available in international public repositories and national institutions was used, including reports from the ePORTUGUÊSe program between 2005 and 2015. The development and operation of the Virtual Health Library were gradual and individualized and strongly dependent on the involvement of local professionals and institutions. Changes in political priorities and financial difficulties led their development to slow down. The increase in connectivity in Africa and access to the Internet are creating new opportunities to resume its development in Portuguese-speaking countries.

La Biblioteca Virtual en Salud de los países de habla portuguesa fue desarrollada para facilitar el acceso a información científica y técnica para estudiantes, profesores y profesionales de la salud en los países involucrados. El objetivo de este artículo es describir el desarrollo de la Biblioteca Virtual en Salud a través de la Red ePORTUGUÊSe de la Organización Mundial de la Salud. Se utilizó una metodología cualitativa basada en la revisión de la literatura y el análisis de la documentación técnica, científica y administrativa disponible en repositorios públicos internacionales e instituciones nacionales, incluidos los informes del programa ePORTUGUÊSe entre 2005 y 2015. El desarrollo y la operacionalización de la BVS fue individualizado y dependió de la participación de profesionales e instituciones locales. Cambios en las prioridades políticas y las dificultades económicas llevaran a su desaceleración. El aumento de la conectividad e Internet en África están creando nuevas oportunidades para reanudar el desarrollo de la Biblioteca Virtual en Salud.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Introduction: Although economic crises are common in low/middle-income countries (LMICs), the evidence of their impact on health systems is still scant. We conducted a comparative case study of Maranhão and São Paulo, two unevenly developed states in Brazil, to explore the health financing and system performance changes brought in by its 2014-2015 economic recession. Methods: Drawing from economic and health system research literature, we designed a conceptual framework exploring the links between macroeconomic factors, labour markets, demand and supply of health services and system performance. We used data from the National Health Accounts and National Household Sample Survey to examine changes in Brazil's health spending over the 2010-2018 period. Data from the National Agency of Supplementary Health database and the public health budget information system were employed to compare and contrast health financing and system performance of São Paulo and Maranhão. Results: Our analysis shows that Brazil's macroeconomic conditions deteriorated across the board after 2015-2016, with São Paulo's economy experiencing a wider setback than Maranhão's. We showed how public health expenditures flattened, while private health insurance expenditures increased due to the recession. Public financing patterns differed across the two states, as health funding in Maranhão continued to grow after the crisis years, as it was propped up by transfers to local governments. While public sector staff and beds per capita in Maranhão were not affected by the crisis, a decrease in public physicians was observed in São Paulo. Conclusion: Our case study suggests that in a complex heterogeneous system, economic recessions reverberate unequally across its parts, as the effects are mediated by private spending, structure of the market and adjustments in public financing. Policies aimed at mitigating the effects of recessions in LMICs will need to take such differences into account.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Resumo Apresentamos lições que resultaram de atividades de capacitação dos gestores conduzidas em Portugal no contexto da reforma da atenção primária em saúde e nos países africanos de língua oficial portuguesa, em termos do planejamento e da gestão dos serviços hospitalares e de saúde pública. Descrevemos três programas de formação-ação realizados pela Unidade de Saúde Pública Internacional do Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical de Lisboa, com o apoio de parceiros portugueses e internacionais como a Organização Mundial da Saúde e o Instituto de Medicina Social da Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Os programas foram desenvolvidos na base da identificação das necessidades de competências dos participantes e focaram a resolução de problemas concretos com o objetivo de ajudar os gestores a enfrentar as dificuldades inerentes aos processos de reforma. Apesar do seu valor intrínseco, por si só não se mostram suficientes, uma vez que são sempre necessários outros mecanismos, como o acompanhamento continuado dos gestores, sistemas de incentivos coerentes com os objetivos das reformas, ferramentas e recursos (financiamento, sistemas de informação, pessoal qualificado suficiente) adequados para implementar as mudanças. Além disso, a sustentabilidade das intervenções de fortalecimento das capacidades carece de apoio continuado dos decisores políticos.

Abstract We present lessons that have resulted from formation activities of managers conducted in Portugal in the context of primary health care reform and in the Portuguese-speaking African countries, regarding planning and management of hospital services. and public health. We describe three action-formation programs conducted by the International Public Health Unit of the Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine-Lisbon, with the support of Portuguese and international partners such as the World Health Organization, and the Institute of Social Medicine of Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. The programs were developed on the basis of identifying participants' skills needs and focused on solving concrete problems in order to help managers address the difficulties inherent in reform processes. Despite their intrinsic value, they are not sufficient by themselves, as other mechanisms such as the continued monitoring of managers, incentive systems consistent with the objectives of reforms, tools and resources (funding, information systems, qualified staff) are always needed and sufficient to implement the changes. In addition, the sustainability of capacity-building interventions needs continued support from policy makers.

Resumen En ese artículo presentamos lecciones que resultaran de actividades de capacitación de los gestores conducidas en Portugal en el contexto de la reforma de la atención primaria en Salud y en los países africanos de lengua oficial portuguesa a nivel de planeamiento y de la gestión de los servicios hospitalarios y de salud pública. El artículo describe tres programas de formación-acción realizados por la Unidad de Salud Pública Internacional del Instituto de Higiene y Medicina Tropical, con el apoyo de socios portugueses e internacionales como la Organización Mundial de Salud, y el Instituto de Medicina Social, Universidad del Estado del Rio de Janeiro. Los programas se desarrollaron sobre la base de la identificación de las necesidades de competencias de los participantes y enfocaran en la resolución de problemas concretos con el objetivo de ayudar los gestores a enfrentar las dificultades inherentes a los procesos de reformas. A pesar de su valor intrínseco, no son suficientes por sí solas, ya que siempre son necesarios otros mecanismos, como el monitoreo continuo de los gestores, sistemas de incentivos coherentes con los objetivos de las reformas, herramientas y recursos (financiación, sistemas de información, personal cualificado suficiente) adecuados para implementar los cambios. Además, la sostenibilidad de las intervenciones de fortalecimiento de las capacidades carece de apoyo continuado de los responsables políticos.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Resumo Este artigo analisa as estratégias de gestão do trabalho da Fundação Estatal Saúde da Família (FESF-SUS), criada para suprir a necessidade de médicos no Estado da Bahia. Objetiva contribuir com o debate acerca das dificuldades de provimento e fixação de médicos na Estratégia Saúde da Família (ESF). A pesquisa consistiu em um estudo de caso, por meio de diversas estratégias metodológicas, destacando-se a análise documental. Os achados apontam como solução a criação de uma carreira intermunicipal. A proposta de gestão do trabalho da Fundação Estatal Saúde da Família (FESF-SUS, n.d.) incluiu os seguintes aspectos: remuneração variável, mobilidade do trabalhador entre os municípios e fatores associados ao suprimento de médicos. A complexidade dessa proposta se depara com a ausência de experiência na gestão desse modelo e também com as questões estruturais e institucionais que marcaram historicamente a gestão do trabalho nos municípios.

Resumen El artículo analiza las estrategias de gestión del trabajo de la Fundación Estatal de Salud Familiar (FESF-SUS), creada para satisfacer la necesidad de los médicos en el estado de Bahía. Tiene como objetivo contribuir al debate sobre las dificultades en el suministro y mantenimiento de los médicos en el programa Estrategia Salud de la Familia. La investigación consistió en un estudio de caso mediante diversas estrategias metodológicas, entre las que se destaca el análisis documental. Los resultados apuntan como solución la creación de una carrera intermunicipal. La propuesta de gestión del trabajo de la Fundación Estatal Salud de Familia (FESF-SUS, n.d.) incluye aspectos tales como compensación variable, movilidad de los trabajadores entre los municipios y factores asociados con el suministro de los médicos. La complejidad de esta propuesta se depara con la falta de experiencia en el manejo de este modelo y también con las cuestiones estructurales e institucionales que históricamente han marcado la gestión del trabajo en los municipios.

Abstract This article analyzes the strategies of work management adopted at the Fundação Estatal Saúde da Família (State Health Family Foundation) (FESF-SUS), which was created to hire and allocate physicians in the Brazilian state of Bahia. The research aims to contribute to the debate about the difficulties of hiring and retaining physicians to work in the public policy promoting family health "Estratégia Saúde da Família" (ESF). The research consisted of a case study adopting several methodological strategies, with emphasis on documentary analysis. The findings show that one solution to hire and retain physicians is the creation of an inter-municipal career. The proposed work management of the Foundation included aspects such as variable compensation, worker mobility between municipalities, and factors associated with the provision of physicians to work in public health. The complexity of this proposal is faced with the lack of experience in operating this form of work management, as well as with the structural and institutional issues that historically marked the work management in the municipalities.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Pesquisadores ao redor do mundo estudam as expectativas, em curto e longo prazo, dos estudantes de último ano de graduação, a fim de buscar evidências científicas que auxiliem gestores e formuladores de políticas públicas na tomada de decisão e no planejamento de suas ações no que diz respeito aos recursos humanos em saúde. O objetivo do presente estudo foi determinar o perfil demográfico e socioeconômico dos estudantes do último ano do curso de Odontologia de uma universidade pública brasileira e relacionar suas perspectivas profissionais com características pessoais, familiares e histórico escolar. Foi realizado um estudo transversal e um questionário foi aplicado aos estudantes do último semestre nos anos de 2014, 2015 e 2016 na Faculdade de Odontologia da Universidade de São Paulo. Foi realizada a análise descritiva e o teste qui-quadrado foi utilizado para examinar a associação entre a intenção de prestar concurso público e migrar para o interior do país e as outras variáveis. A taxa de resposta foi de 82%. Dentre os estudantes da amostra, 76,52% moravam com os pais. A maioria (82%) cursou escola privada e somente 7,95% ingressou no curso por programas de quotas. Quanto às expectativas em relação ao futuro profissional, 70% pretendem trabalhar como autônomo, 61,36% no serviço público e somente 28,7% pretendem trabalhar no ensino. Este foi um estudo exploratório, com os limites descritos na literatura sobre a abordagem metodológica. Entretanto, pesquisas futuras devem avançar nas análises e incorporar metodologias qualitativas a fim de compreender em profundidade fenômenos tais como expectativa profissional, relação do aluno com o Sistema Único de Saúde e mercado de trabalho (AU).

Researchers around the world study the expectations, in the short and long term, of students attending the last year of undergraduate studies in order to seek scientific evidence to assist managers and policy makers in public health service. The objective of this study is to determine the demographic and socioeconomic profile of the students of the last year of a Brazilian public Dentistry university and to relate their professional perspectives with personal, family characteristics. A cross-sectional study was carried out and a questionnaire was applied to students from the last semester of 2014, 2015 and 2016, at University of São Paulo. The response rate was 82%, and 76.52% of the students lived with their parents. Most of them (82%) studied in private schools in the elementary and high school education and only 7.95% entered into university being benefited by the quota programs. Regarding expectations concerning the professional future, 70% intend to work as self-employed professionals, 61.36% in the public service and only 28.7% intend to work in education. This was an exploratory study, with the limits described in the literature on the methodological approach. However, future researches should incorporate qualitative methodologies in order to deeply understand phenomena such as the professional expectation, the student relation with the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) and the labor market (AU).

Assuntos

RESUMO

Background: Although human resources for health (HRH) represent a critical element for health systems, many countries still face acute HRH challenges. These challenges are compounded in conflict-affected settings where health needs are exacerbated and the health workforce is often decimated. A body of research has explored the issues of recruitment of health workers, but the literature is still scarce, in particular with reference to conflict-affected states. This study adds to that literature by exploring, from a central-level perspective, how the HRH recruitment policies changed in Timor-Leste (1999­2018), the drivers of change and their contribution to rebuilding an appropriate health workforce after conflict. Methods: This research adopts a retrospective, qualitative case study design based on 76 documents and 20 key informant interviews, covering a period of almost 20 years. Policy analysis, with elements of political economy analysis was conducted to explore the influence of actors and structural elements. Results: Our findings describe the main phases of HRH policy-making during the post-conflict period and explore how the main drivers of this trajectory shaped policy-making processes and outcomes. While initially the influence of international actors was prominent, the number and relevance of national actors, and resulting influence, later increased as aid dependency diminished. However, this created a fragmented institutional landscape with diverging agendas and lack of inter-sectoral coordination, to the detriment of the long-term strategic development of the health workforce and the health sector. Conclusions: The study provides critical insights to improve understanding of HRH policy development and effective practices in a post-conflict setting but also looking at the longer term evolution. An issue that emerges across the HRH policy-making phases is the difficulty of reconciling the technocratic with the social, cultural and political concerns. Additionally, while this study illuminates processes and dynamics at central level, further research is needed from the decentralised perspective on aspects, such as deployment, motivation and career paths, which are under-regulated at central level. (AU)

Assuntos

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: In Chile, dentistry has become a very popular career choice for students, which has resulted in a substantial increase in both, the number of dental graduates and dental schools. Nonetheless, there is a need for change in the way dental schools select and educate their students to keep pace with the rapidly changing nature of societal needs and to tackle the marked health inequalities that exist in the country. The aim of this study was to review and critique dental undergraduate education in Chile, with a particular focus on the curriculum composition and profiles of students admitted to dental schools from 2010 to 2014. METHODS: A descriptive and retrospective design was utilised. Two different methods were undertaken: primary data collection regarding curriculum and secondary data analysis in relation to students' profiles. Descriptive statistics were used to assess the relative proportions of subject modules within the undergraduate dental curriculum and in particular the public health components. The analysis of the student profiles described specific background factors, namely, gender, age, secondary school type, location, rural-urban status and student's year of admission. Also, trends of dental students' intake between 2010 and 2014 were investigated. Logistic regression analysis was undertaken to assess potential associations between the aforementioned background factors and students' choice of dental school. RESULTS: Regarding the curriculum review, a 67% response rate was obtained. The most dominant component of Chilean dental curriculum was the clinical subjects (33%), followed by the basic and biological sciences (16%) and then medical and dental sciences (13%). In relation to the admission of students, the majority attended private schools (72%); most were females (62%); aged 19 years or less (74%); had an urban origin (99%); and came from subsidised private secondary schools (48%). Significant differences were found between students admitted to traditional and private dental schools. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical sciences are the most dominant subjects in the Chilean dental curriculum. Overall, traditional and private institutions had a broadly similar composition in their curriculum with the exception of the public health component. Students from disadvantaged backgrounds were the minority in dental schools across Chile.

Assuntos

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: The internal migration of physicians from one place to another in the same country can unbalance the supply and distribution of these professionals in national health systems. In addition to economic, social and demographic issues, there are individual and professional factors associated with a physician's decision to migrate. In Brazil, there is an ongoing debate as to whether opening medicine programmes in the interior of the country can induce physicians to stay in these locations. This article examines the migration of physicians in Brazil based on the location of the medical schools from which they graduated. METHODS: A cross-sectional design based on secondary data of 275,801 physicians registered in the Regional Councils of Medicine (Conselhos Regionais de Medicina-CRMs) who graduated between 1980 and 2014. The evaluated outcome was migration, which was defined as moving away from the state where they completed the medicine programme to another state where they currently work or live. RESULTS: 57.3% of the physicians in the study migrated. The probability of migration ratio was greater in small grouped municipalities and lower in state capitals. 93.4% of the physicians who trained in schools located in cities with less than 100,000 inhabitants migrated. Fewer women (54.2%) migrated than men (60.0%). More than half of the physicians who graduated between 1980 and 2014 are in federative units different from the unit in which they graduated. Individual factors, such as age, gender, time of graduation and specialty, vary between the physicians who did or did not migrate. CONCLUSIONS: The probability of migration ratio was greater in small municipalities of the Southeast region and strong in the states of Tocantins, Acre and Santa Catarina. New studies are recommended to deepen understanding of the factors related to the internal migration and non-migration of physicians to improve human resource for health policies.

Assuntos