Attitudes about Family Medicine among brazilian medical students

DOI: 10.15343/0104-7809.20103336340

Abstract

Background and Objectives: As the largest country in Latin America, Brazil’s health care and health education systems have
importance beyond its borders. While Family Medicine has not been part of the curriculum in Brazilian medical schools, the health system
is built around the “Family Health Program”. Methods: Students attending lectures at 6 São Paulo area medical schools responded
to two questions asking what they found interesting about and what the challenges were to Family Medicine in Brazil. 167 responses
were coded and sorted using qualitative analysis techniques. Results: Positive aspects of Family Medicine identified were the character
of the doctor-patient relationship, the character of the practice, and the philosophy and values of Family Medicine. Obstacles included
the lack of knowledge by patients of Family Medicine, the perceived lack of specialty status, and its absence in the medical school and
residency structure. Conclusions: The respondents placed greater emphasis on the humanistic and relationship characteristics of Family
Medicine, and less on the medical content. This information should be useful to Brazilian Family Medicine educators, and may suggest
that efforts to increase student interest in the US consider greater emphasis on these aspects of the discipline.