The aim was to analyze how Brazil has dealt with the shortage of physicians and the attempts to overcome the situation in coordination with healthcare policies and strategies for training and establishment of these professionals in accordance with the needs of the Brazilian National Health System (SUS). PROVAB (Program for Primary Care Enhancement), created by the federal government in 2011, was used as a case study. This seeks to provide healthcare professionals to localities in need. The program offers a score of 10% in residency examinations after evaluation of the professional and structured distance education activities and supervision. PROVAB was analyzed within the current context of the work management and healthcare education policies, in order to comprehend its implementation through discussions, movements, events and qualitative-quantitative data available from the Ministry of Health. Ways to develop work management and healthcare education in Brazil are indicated.
PROVAB; Primary health care; Medical education; Professional practice; Continuing education
