PURPOSE:
to evaluate the evolution of the Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences in Unified Health System (SUS), in the years 2000, 2005 and 2010.
METHODS:
this was a descriptive study, the units of analysis were the geographical regions of Brazil and universe of municipalities aggregated in population size. We analyzed the years 2000, 2005 and 2010, and used secondary data to collect information on the amount and the amount paid by speech therapists procedures performed, and the number of professionals in the SUS.
RESULTS:
there was a large increase in procedures of speech-language therapy in the country, with the largest growth in the North. Among municipalities, the largest increase occurred among those smaller population. In 2010, 89.8% of municipalities didn't perform any type of procedure care speech-language therapy. Between 2000 and 2010 the coefficient procedures/1000hab rose from 19.8 to 60.7. The evolution of speech-language therapy spending in SUS showed that the proportional growth of these procedures was greater than the increase in total outpatient spending. And among the groups, calls for the orthotics and prosthetics showed the highest growth. In the years analyzed, the country showed an increase in the number of speech therapists, despite being shown a deficit of professionals in 2010.
CONCLUSION:
the evolution of speech-language therapy assistance in SUS showed significant growth between 2000 and 2010. However, have a bad distribution of health care and speech therapists in the country, highlighting the continued need for discussions of universal access and the quest for equity in care speech.
Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences; Health Services Accessibility; Unified Health System
