The More Doctors in Brazil Project (MDBP) was created in 2013 in order to supply physicians for areas where it is difficult to retain professionals and to provide training in family and community medicine for Brazilian and foreign physicians. This paper examines aspects related to motivations and work processes and conditions in primary health care; the health situation in cities, operation of the of the Brazilian National Health System (SUS), and the relationship with managers. This study is based on interviews with 44 Cuban physicians who are working in 32 cities in all regions of the country. The results showed that the affiliated physicians have an acute sense of observation and are able to make a detailed situational analysis of the areas where they work. The findings also indicated that primary care is still precarious in these cities. However, they also demonstrated that with adequate training it is possible to provide quality primary care, even in the midst of major challenges.
Keywords:
Primary Health Care; Public Health; Rural areas; Medical education