The implementation of the Unified Health System in Brazil (Sistema Único de Saúde - SUS) and the search for its principles have led to changes in health practices, promoting alterations in the formation and development processes of the professionals of the field. In this context, this study aims to determine the perception of Physical Therapy students from a Higher Education Institution in the city of Teresina, Piauí, Brazil, on their training to provide services for SUS, by means of the application of a questionnaire specifically designed for this study. The research sample was composed of 42 out of the 54 students of Physical Therapy enrolled from the 6th to the 10th periods, which is also the last period of the course. The results show that 81% of academicians reported knowing something about SUS because of higher education institution. It was observed that only members of the sample attending the 10th period (28.6%) were interns in the public health system and community physical therapy. It was found that 91.7% of students from the 10th period and 43.3% of the students representing the other periods judged themselves to be able to work with the system. Thus, it appears that most interviewed students are aware of SUS, because of graduation, and believe to be prepared to work with the health system, especially after the supervised internship.
human resources formation; physical therapy; primary health care; Sistema Único de Saúde
