title: Characteristics of the distribution of doctors in the Mais Médicos (More Doctors) Program in the states of Brazil's Northeast.
abstract: Inequalities in access to health, reflecting shortages and inadequate geographical distribution of health professionals, have been indicated as a challenge for Brazil. This paper analyzes the geographical distribution of professionals of the Mais Médicos Program allocated in the Northeastern Region of Brazil, through a descriptive cross-sectional study. Secondary data provided by the Health Ministry were used, and thematic maps of distribution of doctors in the Region were prepared. Data on 4,716 doctors who became members of health teams in 1,294 municipalities in six Indigenous Health Districts in the years 2013 and 2014 were analyzed. The greater part of the municipalities of the Region received between one and five doctors. The municipalities most benefited had, at least, 20% of their population in extreme poverty. 99.9% of the doctors were allocated in a Health Center or Primary Healthcare Unit. The majority were women (57%), predominantly of the 45-49 age group (24%). In spite of the advances achieved by the Program - such as distribution of the doctors in locations with greater vulnerability - some States continue to have significant shortages of healthcare.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Medicina Social, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco. Av. Professor Moraes Rego s/n, Cidade Universitária. 50670-420 Recife PE Brasil. pri.tamar22@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Priscila Tamar Alves
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Nogueira
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Medicina Social, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco. Av. Professor Moraes Rego s/n, Cidade Universitária. 50670-420 Recife PE Brasil. pri.tamar22@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Adriana Falangola Benjamin
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Bezerra
authors.affiliation: Núcleo de Saúde Coletiva, Centro Acadêmico de Vitória, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco. Vitória de Santo Antão PE Brasil.
authors.forename: Antonio Flaudiano Bem
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Leite
authors.affiliation: Centro de Pesquisa Aggeu Magalhães, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Recife PE Brasil.
authors.forename: Islândia Maria de Sousa
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.affiliation: Centro de Pesquisa Aggeu Magalhães, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Recife PE Brasil.
authors.forename: Rogério Fabiano
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Gonçalves
authors.affiliation: Núcleo de Saúde Coletiva, Centro Acadêmico de Vitória, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco. Vitória de Santo Antão PE Brasil.
authors.forename: Keila Silene de
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Brito-Silva
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D005260:Female; D006078:Government Programs; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010820:Physicians / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D011320:Primary Health Care; D000078329:Workforce