BACKGROUND: This paper aims to determine the profile of the medical auditor in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, based upon a group of physicians who participated in the post-graduation courses of Unimed Foundation Health Auditing, in the cities of Porto Alegre and Caxias do Sul, together with other professionals performing the same activity in the State of Rio Grande do Sul. METHODS: A historical review, a study of the laws and norms that guide the role of the Medical Auditor is presented as well as a review of the literature on medical auditing in Brazil. A non identifiable questionnaire was administered, where questions on personal data and professional training were made, as well as others related to personal satisfaction, health and well- being. RESULTS: The questionnaire was answered by 71 Medical Auditors, with a total of 85 positions in medical auditing at several workplaces. 83.8% are male, ages ranging from 41 to 50 years (38%), on the average they had been graduated for 21.96 +/- 7.68 years, performing medical auditing activities for 7.24 +/- 6.62 years and 88.7% hold a medical academic title and/or medical specialization courses in several areas. In the group researched, 25.37% are formally employed 60% are personally and professionally satisfied and are physically well. In the interviewed group, there are no physicians under 33 years of age nor any graduated for less than 7 years. CONCLUSIONS: A high level of medical education, specialization and updating is evident among the Medical Auditors that were interviewed. Data from the present study will contribute for the definition of the Brazilian Medical Auditor's Profile.
Medical auditing; Medical auditor; Medical auditor profile
