Mapping of Technical Level Workers within Cytotechnology Area in Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: This article aims to contribute to the discussion of human resources policy in Cytotechnology with an emphasis on the attention of cervical cancer and Professional Education in this area. The choice of this theme is justified by the lack of specific information about this worker and their important role in the attention to cervical cancer. Objectives: To map the professionals who perform cytopathological tests in Brazil; to describe and to exam production and geographic distribution of cytopathological tests in relation to the characteristics of the workers found; and to identify the offer of professional education courses in laboratory area in Brazil. Method: Descriptive, exploratory and quantitative study of Brazilian official database. Results: 10,372 workers who perform cytopathological tests were found, among which 5,871 (57%) have higher education degree, 3,256 (31%) have technical degree and 1,245 (12%) have secondary education, with the predominance of females. 899, out of 1,052 cytopathology/ pathological anatomy laboratories with production within the Unified Health System, have processed less than 15,000 tests per year. Among the courses offered according to the background sub-area 167 were found in Pharmacy, 159 in Clinical Analysis, 12 in Biodiagnostics and 4 in Cytopathology. Conclusion: This study made it possible to survey that technical level workers responsible for scrutinizing the cytopathologic exam lack specific training on cytomorphological analysis as per the Ministry of Health regulations for their training courses.