Razão fisioterapeuta habitante por regiões do Brasil nos setores público e privado: estudo ecológico, 2005-2022

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the evolution of the distribution of physiotherapists in different regions of Brazil between 2007 and 2022, considering the relationship with the number of inhabitants. Methods: This is an observational, cross-sectional, and ecological study. Secondary data on the density of physiotherapists per thousand inhabitants were used. The five Brazilian regions (North, Northeast, Southeast, South, and Central-West) were analyzed with a total sample of records from the period 2007 to 2022. Results: The average rate of physiotherapists per thousand inhabitants in Brazil was 0.022. The North Region showed the lowest rate (0.016), while the South Region had the highest (0.023). The temporal trend was evaluated using a simple linear regression model, concerning the proportion of physiotherapists by region in Brazil between 2007 and 2022, adopting a significance level of 5% (p<0.05). Through regression analysis, all regions showed significant growth over the period. Conclusion: The study shows an unequal distribution of physiotherapists in Brazil, with the North and Central-West regions presenting lower availability of these professionals. There is a need for public policies aimed at the equitable redistribution of physiotherapists across the country.