Methods:

A descriptive, crosssectional study with a quantitative approach, which characterized the profile of the 234 graduating medical residents from 17 São Paulo State residency programs in Family and Community Medicine (PRMFC) who completed residency between 2000 and 2009.

Results:

Of the 234 residents, 55.1% responded to the survey questionnaire, the majority (96.9%) were Brazilian, born in the state of São Paulo (71.2%), 58.1% were women; 88.4% were 39 years of age or younger, 89.1% lived in large urban centers and they tended to settle in the state of São Paulo (80.0%), where the residency was conducted. The doctors worked in the area of Family and Community Medicine (74.0%); 49.6% related to the Family Health Strategy. Staying in the area was favored more by those who, upon graduating, wanted to be family doctors (77.6%) than thos who did not (63.6%). Almost half of the graduates reported having two or three jobs and 99.2% continued their education after the residence. Interest in teaching was observed among 48.1% of the respondents who reported teaching in undergraduate and graduate courses, including medical residency programs, while a third of the respondents reported conducting research activities.

Conclusion:

A better understanding of the profile and whereabouts of trained primary health care professionals can contribute towards constructing an identity for family doctors, thereby strengthening this medical specialty. The study results indicate a favorable outlook for the Community and Family Medicine speciality in São Paulo, however this cannot be generalized for such an unequal health system in Brazil, even considering the improvements brought about by recent SUS management regulation measures. The literature reviewed and discussed shed light on the potential in the field of specialist training, but for undergraduate training, the effectiveness of these changes takes longer to become apparent.

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