Objective: To examine the factorial validity of the Team Skills Scale (TSS). The TSS is a 17-item scale developed by Hepburn, Tsukuda, and Fasser (1996). The Scale is purported to assess self-perceived team skills.Data Source: Data for this study were provided by The New York University Geriatric Interdisciplinary Team Training (GITT) Resource Center and were collected as part of the evaluation of the GITT program. The data were collected between January 1997 and June 2000.Study Design: This quasi-experiential study was focused on the trainee (N=1,715) as the unit of analysis. The Model of Individual-Level Team Competencies (Model of I-LTC) served as the conceptual framework and guided a priori specification of the TSS confirmatory factor analysis measurement model. The Model of I-LTC was developed by this author based on review and interpretation of the team literature.Principal Findings: The TSS is a one-factor structure comprised of eight of the original 17 indicators. Also, the revised measurement model was found to be invariant when the data were randomly divided into two equal samples. Finally, the covariance structure model indicated that attitude about the physician as team leader and sole patient care decision-maker had a significant and negative association with variation in responses to the TSS. Attitude about the quality of team delivered patient care had a significant and positive association with variation in responses to the TSS.Conclusion: This study found that the TSS in a single factor structure comprised of eightof the original 17 TSS items. It is believed that the eight items measure self-perceivedteam collaboration skills. Although the factor structure was confirmed by the data, thisdoes not mean that the proposed structure is absolute. It just means that the structure hasnot been falsified. However, it is possible that this constellation of indicators was datadriven. Therefore, further psychometric testing, to include the use of other data sources,is recommended.

Oral history is a method of preserving historical information through in-depth interviews. Because the process requires narrators to use remote recall while sharing their life experiences, it can also be considered a reminiscence-related activity. Before this study, the positive effects on narrators of providing an oral history were noted in the research literature but had not been evaluated through quantitative methods. Based on theoretical constructs of Erikson and Butler, it was hypothesized that participation in oral history interviews would improve the life satisfaction of narrators. Life satisfaction was operationalized and measured using the Life Satisfaction Index Version A (LSIA). The purposes of this study were to evaluate the influence of an oral history intervention on the life satisfaction of community-dwelling elders and to identify participant characteristics associated with change in life satisfaction scores.Sixty community-dwelling, older adults who were free of cognitive impairment and mental illness were recruited from agencies serving the social and recreational needs of elders in Richmond, VA. Participants were randomly assigned to an intervention group or a control group. LSIA scores were collected pretest, posttest, and again at retest, ten weeks after the intervention. Mean LSIA scores from the control and treatment groups were compared for differences at posttest and retest using an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Regression analysis was used to identify participant characteristics associated with improved life satisfaction at posttest and retest. Oral history interviews were conducted by Virginia Commonwealth University students enrolled in a gerontology course. Participants discussed lifetime events with students on three occasions for approximately one hour per session using a researcher-developed interview guide. No statistically significant differences in LSIA scores were found between groups at posttest (p=0.74) or retest (p=0.051) although retest scores may indicate a trend toward improvement. Lower LSIA scores at pretest were associated with positive change in LSIA scores at retest (p=5.001). These results suggest that oral history may not improve life satisfaction immediately but there may be a trend toward improvement given time and that elders least satisfied with their lives at the onset are most likely to show positive change by retest.

Researchers have studied memory recall of crisis-oriented or emotional events in non-educational settings. However, within the health care field, there has been a limited study of the the concept of recall of crisis oriented or emotional events in& health care education. Crisis-oriented events such as natural disasters, acts of bioterroism, and industrial accidents, have been reported to impact memory. Patient safety is a primary focus in anesthesia education, appropriate crisis management is imperative to quality anesthesia care. Due to the critical nature of anesthesia delivery, there is a strong, constant need to develop methods that will enhance, support, and improve current anesthesia practices that impact patient safety. Educational methodologies used by both clinical and didactic instructors that will improve teaching effectiveness need to be investigated to ensure that patient safety content is being delivered to nurse anesthesia students in a manner consistent with the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANAs) Council on Accreditation's COAs) standards of care. Utilizing a simulated anesthesia crisis situation, this study compared the differences in cognitive imprinting and application to practice between two content delivery methods, the written case study and patient safety vignettes, in nurse anesthesia students. The control group was given a written case study which is considered a traditional method of content delivery. The treatment groups studied vignettes, which are short, realistic, simulated audio-visual videos that demonstrate content to be relayed. The research hypothesis studied the use of anesthesia crisis oriented vignettes as an educational tool to impact memory recall, thus potentially improving application to clinical practice. Hypotheses for the study were: Hypothesis 1 (Hl): Student anesthetists exposed to audio-visual vignettes will exhibit superior clinical performance during simulated apparatus-related crisis events, evidenced by higher group mean demonstration scores, when compared to a matched group exposed to written case studies. Hypothesis 2 (H2): Student anesthetists exposed to audio-visual vignettes will exhibit superior recall of apparatus related material, evidenced by higher group mean post-test scores, when compared to a matched group exposed to written case studies. Using the paired samples t-test and analysis of variance procedure (ANOVA), statistical findings were evaluated for significance. The different teaching methodologies were represented in the abbreviation of the variables studied. Two different crisis oriented events were presented in vignette format, a malfunctioning unidirectional expiratory valve and a malfunctioning suctioning apparatus. Variables that were studied include: clinical performance during the anesthesia machine checkout process by recreating the stuck expiratory valve and malfunctioning suction apparatus scenarios. Statistically, mixed results were obtained. The impact that the stuck expiratory valve vignette had on student recall and clinical performance was found to be insignificant. The impact resulting from exposure to the non-functioning suction apparatus vignette was found to be significant for both student recall and clinical performance. Other recall and clinical performance measures related to the non- functioning suction apparatus were also found to be significant. Conclusions: In this research study, memory and clinical performance were impacted when the anesthesia provider incorporated the correct anesthesia apparatus checkout process and crisis management skills into their practice. This research demonstrated that under the conditions of this study, teaching methodology impacted some areas of clinical performance. Due to the small sample size and because the clinical performance measurements tools were newly designed for this particular study, findings from this study cannot be generalized to any other group or population. However, the findings from this study merit further investigation into the potential use of vignettes as an educational methodology to impact clinical practice and improve patient safety.

Problem: There is a shortage of military certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs). The exodus from military service to civilian careers could be a result of relative deprivation (the discrepancy that one perceives between what one has and what one could or should have). Relative deprivation is a perception of unfairness dependent on feelings (subjective data) as well as facts (objective data). Purpose: The purpose of this study was to measure relative deprivation in active duty military nurse anesthetists, to explore variables which correlate with relative deprivation, and to validate or refute the theory of relative deprivation in active duty military CRNAs. The study was based on research conducted by Crosby who theorized that wanting (a desire for some object or opportunity) and deserving (a feeling of entitlement to an object or opportunity) were the most relevant preconditions leading to relative deprivation. It was hypothesized that antecedent factors (years as a CRNA, pay, promotion opportunities, and scope of practice/autonomy) and psychological factors (wanting and deserving) correlate with relative deprivation. It was further hypothesized, based on the theory, that psychological factors would have more influence on relative deprivation than antecedent factors.Study design: The descriptive, correlational study was conducted using a self-administered survey sent to 435 active duty Army, Navy and Air Force CRNAs. Surveys were distributed to subjects by mail and could be answered by mail or by secured website designed specifically for the conduct of this study.Results: Response rate was 58% (n = 236). Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Analysis of the data revealed no significant correlation (pConclusions: Further research is indicated to identify tangible factors which can be modified to improve feelings of deprivation as they relate to retention and recruitment of military CRNAs.

Physical activity is part of a healthy lifestyle, but participating in athletic activities like team sports can lead to injury. This study was designed to find the differences in types of high school sports injuries and how frequently these injuries occur among different sports and between males and females. A survey was given to members of the football, boys’ basketball, girls’ basketball, baseball, softball, and volleyball teams of a central Appalachian high school. The highest rate of injury was found in girls’ basketball at 86.7%, followed by football at 85.2%, boys’ basketball at 70.6%, softball and volleyball each at 69.2%, and baseball at 33.3%. Significant differences were also found between the most prevalent types of injuries in each sport. Differences in types of injuries were reported by male and female athletes who participated in comparable sports such as boys’ and girls’ basketball and softball and baseball. More research into why these differences exist could result in more individualized prevention strategies for high school athletes.

The primary, descriptive aim of this dissertation was to describe the nighttime sleep quality of previously mechanically ventilated older adult patients within 24-48 hours of transfer out of the intensive care unit (ICU) to a medical-surgical floor. The secondary, exploratory aim was to examine the relationships between post-ICU sleep efficiency (SE) and wake after sleep onset (WASO) with grip strength in previously mechanically ventilated older adult patients within 24-48 hours of transfer out of the ICU. The study included 30 adults ages 65 and older (11 women, 19 men; age 71.37 ± 5.35, range 65-86 years), who were functionally independent at home prior to hospitalization, mechanically ventilated during their ICU stay, and were within 24-48 hours of transfer out of ICU to a medical-surgical floor at Tampa General Hospital, a level 1 trauma center. Subjects wore an actigraph monitor on the dominant wrist (Actiwatch Spectrum) to monitor sleep over two consecutive nights. Parameters of post-ICU sleep quality included total sleep time (TST), sleep efficiency (SE), wake after sleep onset (WASO), sleep latency (SL), and number of awakenings (NA). The outcome measure of motor function was dominant hand grip strength, assessed by the National Institutes of Health Toolbox Motor Battery Grip Strength Test. Sleep data collected between nighttime hours (9:00 PM to 9:00 AM) on both nights were analyzed. For the descriptive aim, means for each sleep parameter and clinical characteristics were reported. For the exploratory aims, multiple regression analyses examined the individual associations between mean sleep parameters (SE and WASO) and grip strength. Study subjects had a mean SE of 63.24 ± 3.88% and spent 135.39 ± 9.94 minutes awake after sleep onset. The mean TST among subjects was 7.55 ± 2.52 hours, ranging from 2.02 to 10.84 hours of sleep, out of the 12 hours of total time in bed. A total of 6 (20%) subjects slept less than 5 hours each night, and a total of 6 (20%) subjects slept greater than 10 hours each night. The mean SL among study subjects was 42.57 minutes, and ranged from 0.0 to 237.75 minutes. Overall, subjects’ average NA was 78.28 ± 26.39, ranging from 35 to 136 awakenings. In multiple regression analysis, SE was significantly and negatively associated with grip strength, after adjusting for potential confounding factors. The model predictors explained 80.8% of the variance in grip strength, [R2 = .808, F(10, 15) = 6.324, p = .001]. Higher SE independently predicted worse grip strength (β = -0.326, p = .036). Further, among the tertiles of subjects with moderate or high TST (sleep duration ≥ 6 hours, n = 23), there remained a significant, negative association between SE and grip strength. The predictors explained 73.7% of the variance in grip strength, [R2 = .737, F(5, 15) = 8.416, p = .001]. Higher SE independently predicted worse grip strength among the subset of subjects with moderate or high sleep duration (β = -0.296, p = .046). Among the two quartiles of subjects with moderate-high or high WASO (≥ 120 minutes spent awake after sleep onset, n = 16), there was a significant, negative association between WASO and grip strength, after adjusting for covariates. The model indicated that the predictors explained 91.4% of the variance in grip strength [R2 = .914, F(6, 8) = 14.134, p = .001]. Greater WASO independently predicted worse grip strength (β = -0.276, p = .04). Finally, the effects of sex and preexisting obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) on grip strength were individually examined. Higher SE independently predicted worse grip strength among male subjects (β = -0.353, p = .039), as did preexisting OSA (β = -0.493, p = .033). In summary, objectively measured sleep quality was disturbed among previously mechanically ventilated, hospitalized older adults, even after transfer out of ICU to a medical-surgical floor. Longer TST and greater SE predicted worse grip strength among these frail patients who were previously independent, community dwelling older adults. Among the subjects with more severely fragmented sleep, WASO also independently predicted weaker grip strength. As poor grip strength is an indicator of ICU-acquired weakness, optimal sleep duration and less sleep disturbances may be crucial in prevention of worse functional outcomes and new institutionalization. Additional research is needed to discern the temporality of associations between sleep quality and motor function among older adult survivors of critical illness.

Several lines of evidence link Alzheimer's disease (AD) to atherosclerosis (CVD), including that elevated low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol is a common risk factor. Development of genomic instability could also link the two diseases. Previous fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analyses revealed a clonal expansion of aneuploid smooth muscle cells underlying atherosclerotic plaques. Likewise, cellular and mouse models of AD revealed tau-dependent mitotic defects and subsequent aneuploidy partly resulting from amyloid-beta (A&beta) interference with microtubule (MT) stability, and specific MT motors function. Moreover, AD patients develop aneuploid/hyperploid cells in brain and peripheral tissues, implicating similar mechanism that may lead to apoptosis and neurodegeneration. This dissertation tested the hypothesis that elevated lipoproteins and cholesterol may contribute to genomic instability in AD and CVD and showed that: (1) treatment with oxidized LDL (OX-LDL), LDL and water soluble cholesterol, but not high density lipoprotein (HDL), induced chromosome mis-segregation, including trisomy and tetrasomy 12, 21, and 7 in human epithelial cells (hTERT-HME1), primary aortic smooth muscle cells, fibroblasts, mouse splenocytes and neural precursors; (2) LDL-induced aneuploidy may depend on a functional LDL receptor (LDLR), but not amyloid precursor protein (APP) gene; (3) fibroblasts and brain cells of patient with the mutation in the Niemann-Pick C1 gene (NPC1) characterized by impaired intracellular cholesterol trafficking and changed intracellular cholesterol distribution harbored trisomy 21 cells; (4) young wild-type mice fed high and low cholesterol diets developed aneuploidy in spleen but not in brain cells within 12 weeks; (5) like with the studies on A&beta-induced aneuploidy, calcium chelation reduced OX-LDL and LDL-mediated chromosomal instability; and (6) altering plasma membrane fluidity with ethanol attenuated OX-LDL and LDL-induced aneuploidy. These results suggest a novel biological mechanism by which disrupted cholesterol homeostasis may promote both atherosclerosis and AD by inducing chromosome mis-segregation and development of aneuploid cells. Understanding the cause and consequence of chromosomal instability as a common pathological trait in AD and CVD may be beneficial to designing therapies relevant for both diseases.

CONTEXTUALIZAÇÃO: No Brasil, a exemplo do que ocorre em outros países, os médicos estão distribuídos de forma heterogênea, concentrando-se principalmente nas regiões Sudeste e Sul do país (Povoa; Andrade, 2006), o que faz com que a distribuição adequada do trabalho médico seja um dos principais desafios à garantia da equidade em saúde. A desigualdade na distribuição de médicos é um problema mundial, e esta distribuição deve ser adequada tanto geograficamente como entre as especialidades. Entretanto, faltam parâmetros para identificar onde há carência e excesso destes profissionais. Embora não exista um modelo de distribuição ideal do trabalho médico, vários fatores podem interferir na necessidade deste profissional, e a avaliação da necessidade de médicos deve levar em conta o contexto no qual seu trabalho será desenvolvido. No Brasil, a busca por melhores níveis de saúde e promoção da equidade em saúde são objetivos importantes, que passam pelo fortalecimento do SUS e da Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS), sendo necessário avaliar a adequação da oferta e distribuição de médicos no país a estes propósitos. OBJETIVOS: Identificar a adequação da oferta de médicos no Brasil, total e por especialidade, segundo parâmetros assistenciais do Ministério da Saúde e em comparação com um sistema de saúde orientado para APS. Identificar as carências e excessos de médicos, conforme estes parâmetros de comparação, nas cinco regiões brasileiras. MÉTODOS: A oferta de médicos, registrada no Cadastro Nacional de Estabelecimentos de Saúde (CNES) em julho de 2009, total e por especialidades, foi comparada à necessidade de médicos, conforme parâmetros assistenciais da Portaria MS 1101/2002 e parâmetros de produtividade das resoluções n.º 01/2005 e n.º 04/2005 do Conselho Regional de Medicina de Pernambuco (CREMEPE). Também foi comparada à oferta de médicos no Canadá, conforme o Southam Medical Database 2009 (SMDB). Tais comparações foram realizadas, ainda, para as cinco Regiões do País. RESULTADOS: A cobertura médica total no Brasil contempla os parâmetros assistenciais recomendados pelo MS, mas, comparado com o modelo canadense, apresenta insuficiência de médicos e desigualdade na distribuição entre as especialidades. Em relação à distribuição regional, o Norte não apresenta cobertura suficiente para oferecer a assistência médica recomendada pelo MS, e a região Nordeste consegue atender apenas os parâmetros referentes a 2 consultas.habitantes/ano. Por outro lado, na comparação com o Canadá, a única região onde não foi identificada insuficiência na cobertura médica total foi a Região Sudeste. Na avaliação da cobertura médica por especialidades, nenhuma região apresenta distribuição adequada ao atendimento das recomendações do MS, e todas as regiões apresentam inadequação nesta distribuição quando comparadas ao Canadá. Em algumas especialidades há excesso em todo o país. CONCLUSÕES: A cobertura médica no Brasil não está adequada nem aos parâmetros assistenciais do MS nem a um sistema de saúde orientado para a APS, reforçando a necessidade de sistemas regulatórios da formação de médicos no Brasil. / BACKGROUND: In Brazil, the doctors are distributed unevenly, concentrating mainly in the Southeast and South, which makes the proper distribution of doctor work is a major challenge of equity in health. Although the unequal distribution of doctors is a global problem, missing parameters to identify where there is a lack and excess of these professionals. Moreover, it is necessary that this distribution is suitable both geographically and between specialties. Although there isn‟t a model of ideal distribution of medical and several factors may interfere with the need for this training, and evaluating the need for professional to take into account the context in which their work will be developed. In Brazil, the strengthening of the SUS and Primary Health Care (PHC) are important strategies in the quest for improved health and promoting health equity, is necessary to evaluate the adequacy of supply and distribution of doctors in the country for these purposes. OBJECTIVES: To identify the adequacy of the supply of doctors in Brazil, total and by specialty care within the parameters of the Ministry of Health and compared with a health system oriented APS. Identifying deficiencies and excesses of doctors, according to these benchmarks in the five Brazilian regions. METHODS: The offer of doctorsr, registered in the National Register of Health Facilities (CNES) in July 2009, total and by specialty, was compared to the need for medical care based on the parameters of HD decree 1101 / 2002, considering the productivity parameters resolutions No. 01/2005 and No. 04/2005 of the Conselho Regional de Medicina de Pernambuco (CREMEPE). We also compared the offer of doctors in Canada, as the Southam Medical Database 2009 (SMDB). Comparisons are made also for the five regions of the country. RESULTS: The total medical coverage in Brazil provides assistance to meet the recommendations of the HD according to the parameters adopted, but the distribution among the specialties is not suitable for these recommendations. The regional distribution, are observed deficiencies in the North, where coverage is insufficient to provide medical care recommended by HD, and the Northeast, where coverage is sufficient to meet only the recommendations for two medical appointment.inhabitant / year. Compared to the Canadian model, the Brazilian medical coverage is inadequate. The only region where failure was not identified in this comparison was the Southeast. The evaluation of medical coverage for specialty identifies that there are specialties with shortages in all regions, with other excesses in all regions. Some specialties have adequate general coverage, but they are poorly distributed across regions. For some specialties were conflicting results between the two models for comparison. Conclusions: Medical coverage in Brazil is not adequate care or the parameters of HD nor a health system oriented to the PAH, reinforcing the need for regulatory systems of training doctors in Brazil.

CONTEXTUALIZAÇÃO: No Brasil, a exemplo do que ocorre em outros países, os médicos estão distribuídos de forma heterogênea, concentrando-se principalmente nas regiões Sudeste e Sul do país (Povoa; Andrade, 2006), o que faz com que a distribuição adequada do trabalho médico seja um dos principais desafios à garantia da equidade em saúde. A desigualdade na distribuição de médicos é um problema mundial, e esta distribuição deve ser adequada tanto geograficamente como entre as especialidades. Entretanto, faltam parâmetros para identificar onde há carência e excesso destes profissionais. Embora não exista um modelo de distribuição ideal do trabalho médico, vários fatores podem interferir na necessidade deste profissional, e a avaliação da necessidade de médicos deve levar em conta o contexto no qual seu trabalho será desenvolvido. No Brasil, a busca por melhores níveis de saúde e promoção da equidade em saúde são objetivos importantes, que passam pelo fortalecimento do SUS e da Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS), sendo necessário avaliar a adequação da oferta e distribuição de médicos no país a estes propósitos. OBJETIVOS: Identificar a adequação da oferta de médicos no Brasil, total e por especialidade, segundo parâmetros assistenciais do Ministério da Saúde e em comparação com um sistema de saúde orientado para APS. Identificar as carências e excessos de médicos, conforme estes parâmetros de comparação, nas cinco regiões brasileiras. MÉTODOS: A oferta de médicos, registrada no Cadastro Nacional de Estabelecimentos de Saúde (CNES) em julho de 2009, total e por especialidades, foi comparada à necessidade de médicos, conforme parâmetros assistenciais da Portaria MS 1101/2002 e parâmetros de produtividade das resoluções n.º 01/2005 e n.º 04/2005 do Conselho Regional de Medicina de Pernambuco (CREMEPE). Também foi comparada à oferta de médicos no Canadá, conforme o Southam Medical Database 2009 (SMDB). Tais comparações foram realizadas, ainda, para as cinco Regiões do País. RESULTADOS: A cobertura médica total no Brasil contempla os parâmetros assistenciais recomendados pelo MS, mas, comparado com o modelo canadense, apresenta insuficiência de médicos e desigualdade na distribuição entre as especialidades. Em relação à distribuição regional, o Norte não apresenta cobertura suficiente para oferecer a assistência médica recomendada pelo MS, e a região Nordeste consegue atender apenas os parâmetros referentes a 2 consultas.habitantes/ano. Por outro lado, na comparação com o Canadá, a única região onde não foi identificada insuficiência na cobertura médica total foi a Região Sudeste. Na avaliação da cobertura médica por especialidades, nenhuma região apresenta distribuição adequada ao atendimento das recomendações do MS, e todas as regiões apresentam inadequação nesta distribuição quando comparadas ao Canadá. Em algumas especialidades há excesso em todo o país. CONCLUSÕES: A cobertura médica no Brasil não está adequada nem aos parâmetros assistenciais do MS nem a um sistema de saúde orientado para a APS, reforçando a necessidade de sistemas regulatórios da formação de médicos no Brasil. / BACKGROUND: In Brazil, the doctors are distributed unevenly, concentrating mainly in the Southeast and South, which makes the proper distribution of doctor work is a major challenge of equity in health. Although the unequal distribution of doctors is a global problem, missing parameters to identify where there is a lack and excess of these professionals. Moreover, it is necessary that this distribution is suitable both geographically and between specialties. Although there isn‟t a model of ideal distribution of medical and several factors may interfere with the need for this training, and evaluating the need for professional to take into account the context in which their work will be developed. In Brazil, the strengthening of the SUS and Primary Health Care (PHC) are important strategies in the quest for improved health and promoting health equity, is necessary to evaluate the adequacy of supply and distribution of doctors in the country for these purposes. OBJECTIVES: To identify the adequacy of the supply of doctors in Brazil, total and by specialty care within the parameters of the Ministry of Health and compared with a health system oriented APS. Identifying deficiencies and excesses of doctors, according to these benchmarks in the five Brazilian regions. METHODS: The offer of doctorsr, registered in the National Register of Health Facilities (CNES) in July 2009, total and by specialty, was compared to the need for medical care based on the parameters of HD decree 1101 / 2002, considering the productivity parameters resolutions No. 01/2005 and No. 04/2005 of the Conselho Regional de Medicina de Pernambuco (CREMEPE). We also compared the offer of doctors in Canada, as the Southam Medical Database 2009 (SMDB). Comparisons are made also for the five regions of the country. RESULTS: The total medical coverage in Brazil provides assistance to meet the recommendations of the HD according to the parameters adopted, but the distribution among the specialties is not suitable for these recommendations. The regional distribution, are observed deficiencies in the North, where coverage is insufficient to provide medical care recommended by HD, and the Northeast, where coverage is sufficient to meet only the recommendations for two medical appointment.inhabitant / year. Compared to the Canadian model, the Brazilian medical coverage is inadequate. The only region where failure was not identified in this comparison was the Southeast. The evaluation of medical coverage for specialty identifies that there are specialties with shortages in all regions, with other excesses in all regions. Some specialties have adequate general coverage, but they are poorly distributed across regions. For some specialties were conflicting results between the two models for comparison. Conclusions: Medical coverage in Brazil is not adequate care or the parameters of HD nor a health system oriented to the PAH, reinforcing the need for regulatory systems of training doctors in Brazil.

CONTEXTUALIZAÇÃO: No Brasil, a exemplo do que ocorre em outros países, os médicos estão distribuídos de forma heterogênea, concentrando-se principalmente nas regiões Sudeste e Sul do país (Povoa; Andrade, 2006), o que faz com que a distribuição adequada do trabalho médico seja um dos principais desafios à garantia da equidade em saúde. A desigualdade na distribuição de médicos é um problema mundial, e esta distribuição deve ser adequada tanto geograficamente como entre as especialidades. Entretanto, faltam parâmetros para identificar onde há carência e excesso destes profissionais. Embora não exista um modelo de distribuição ideal do trabalho médico, vários fatores podem interferir na necessidade deste profissional, e a avaliação da necessidade de médicos deve levar em conta o contexto no qual seu trabalho será desenvolvido. No Brasil, a busca por melhores níveis de saúde e promoção da equidade em saúde são objetivos importantes, que passam pelo fortalecimento do SUS e da Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS), sendo necessário avaliar a adequação da oferta e distribuição de médicos no país a estes propósitos. OBJETIVOS: Identificar a adequação da oferta de médicos no Brasil, total e por especialidade, segundo parâmetros assistenciais do Ministério da Saúde e em comparação com um sistema de saúde orientado para APS. Identificar as carências e excessos de médicos, conforme estes parâmetros de comparação, nas cinco regiões brasileiras. MÉTODOS: A oferta de médicos, registrada no Cadastro Nacional de Estabelecimentos de Saúde (CNES) em julho de 2009, total e por especialidades, foi comparada à necessidade de médicos, conforme parâmetros assistenciais da Portaria MS 1101/2002 e parâmetros de produtividade das resoluções n.º 01/2005 e n.º 04/2005 do Conselho Regional de Medicina de Pernambuco (CREMEPE). Também foi comparada à oferta de médicos no Canadá, conforme o Southam Medical Database 2009 (SMDB). Tais comparações foram realizadas, ainda, para as cinco Regiões do País. RESULTADOS: A cobertura médica total no Brasil contempla os parâmetros assistenciais recomendados pelo MS, mas, comparado com o modelo canadense, apresenta insuficiência de médicos e desigualdade na distribuição entre as especialidades. Em relação à distribuição regional, o Norte não apresenta cobertura suficiente para oferecer a assistência médica recomendada pelo MS, e a região Nordeste consegue atender apenas os parâmetros referentes a 2 consultas.habitantes/ano. Por outro lado, na comparação com o Canadá, a única região onde não foi identificada insuficiência na cobertura médica total foi a Região Sudeste. Na avaliação da cobertura médica por especialidades, nenhuma região apresenta distribuição adequada ao atendimento das recomendações do MS, e todas as regiões apresentam inadequação nesta distribuição quando comparadas ao Canadá. Em algumas especialidades há excesso em todo o país. CONCLUSÕES: A cobertura médica no Brasil não está adequada nem aos parâmetros assistenciais do MS nem a um sistema de saúde orientado para a APS, reforçando a necessidade de sistemas regulatórios da formação de médicos no Brasil. / BACKGROUND: In Brazil, the doctors are distributed unevenly, concentrating mainly in the Southeast and South, which makes the proper distribution of doctor work is a major challenge of equity in health. Although the unequal distribution of doctors is a global problem, missing parameters to identify where there is a lack and excess of these professionals. Moreover, it is necessary that this distribution is suitable both geographically and between specialties. Although there isn‟t a model of ideal distribution of medical and several factors may interfere with the need for this training, and evaluating the need for professional to take into account the context in which their work will be developed. In Brazil, the strengthening of the SUS and Primary Health Care (PHC) are important strategies in the quest for improved health and promoting health equity, is necessary to evaluate the adequacy of supply and distribution of doctors in the country for these purposes. OBJECTIVES: To identify the adequacy of the supply of doctors in Brazil, total and by specialty care within the parameters of the Ministry of Health and compared with a health system oriented APS. Identifying deficiencies and excesses of doctors, according to these benchmarks in the five Brazilian regions. METHODS: The offer of doctorsr, registered in the National Register of Health Facilities (CNES) in July 2009, total and by specialty, was compared to the need for medical care based on the parameters of HD decree 1101 / 2002, considering the productivity parameters resolutions No. 01/2005 and No. 04/2005 of the Conselho Regional de Medicina de Pernambuco (CREMEPE). We also compared the offer of doctors in Canada, as the Southam Medical Database 2009 (SMDB). Comparisons are made also for the five regions of the country. RESULTS: The total medical coverage in Brazil provides assistance to meet the recommendations of the HD according to the parameters adopted, but the distribution among the specialties is not suitable for these recommendations. The regional distribution, are observed deficiencies in the North, where coverage is insufficient to provide medical care recommended by HD, and the Northeast, where coverage is sufficient to meet only the recommendations for two medical appointment.inhabitant / year. Compared to the Canadian model, the Brazilian medical coverage is inadequate. The only region where failure was not identified in this comparison was the Southeast. The evaluation of medical coverage for specialty identifies that there are specialties with shortages in all regions, with other excesses in all regions. Some specialties have adequate general coverage, but they are poorly distributed across regions. For some specialties were conflicting results between the two models for comparison. Conclusions: Medical coverage in Brazil is not adequate care or the parameters of HD nor a health system oriented to the PAH, reinforcing the need for regulatory systems of training doctors in Brazil.