Abstract Background The
infectious diseases specialist is a medical doctor dedicated to the management of
infectious diseases in their individual and collective dimensions. Objectives The aim of this
paper was to evaluate the current profile and distribution of
infectious diseases specialists in
Brazil.
Methods This is a
cross-sectional study using
secondary data obtained from institutions that
register medical
specialists in
Brazil. Variables of interest included
gender, age, type of
medical school (public or private) the
specialist graduated from,
time since finishing
residency training in
infectious diseases, and the interval between M.D. graduation and
residency completion. Maps are used to study the geographical distribution of
infectious diseases specialists. Results A total of 3229
infectious diseases specialist registries were counted, with 94.3% (3045) of individual counts (
heads) represented by primary
registries. The mean age was 43.3 years (SD 10.5), and a higher proportion of
females was observed (57%; 95% CI 55.3–58.8). Most Brazilian
infectious diseases specialists (58.5%) practice in the Southeastern region. However, when distribution rates were calculated, several states exhibited high concentration of
infectious diseases specialists, when compared to the national rate (16.06). Interestingly, among
specialists working in the Northeastern region, those trained locally had completed their
residency programs more recently (8.7 yrs; 95% CI 7.9–9.5) than
physicians trained elsewhere in the country (13.6 yrs 95% CI 11.8–15.5). Conclusion Our study shows that Brazilian
infectious diseases specialists are predominantly young and
female doctors. Most have concluded a
medical residency training program. The absolute majority practice in the Southeastern region. However, some states from the Northern, Northeastern and Southeastern regions exhibit
specialist rates above the national average. In these areas, nonetheless, there is a strong concentration of
infectious diseases specialists in
state capitals and in metropolitan areas.