Family health teams: profile of the physicians and nurses in Londrina, Paraná, Brazil

Abstract

This study is a descriptive quantitative investigation to describe the profile of the members of the family health teams in Londrina, Paraná. Data were collected in August and September, 2003. In order to analyze quantitative data, the Epi-Info program was used. The city of Londrina reckoned on 188 health professionals (94 physicians and 94 nurses), out of which 89 nurses (94,7%) and 82 physicians (87,2%) took part in this research. Over fifty percent of the physicians were male, the average age being 42,2 years old. Among the nurses, the female prevailed, average age being 33,9 years old. Most of the physicians had already worked for more than 9 years in the collective health area, while most of the nurses had worked in this area for less than 9 years. Almost all the nurses and about 50% of the physicians had worked for more than two years in ESF (Family Health Teams). Concerning formal education, more than 74% of the physicians and 93,2% of the nurses answered that they had completed graduate courses: 45% of the physicians and 70% of the nurses, in Collective Health. In face of these results, it was verified that the physicians and the nurses of the family health teams in Londrina had significant professional qualification.