It takes 10 years in Brazil for a first-year medical student to reach the market and start working as physician. In terms of health professionals, what are Brazil’s human resource needs? What can Brazil afford? How well is Brazil doing in preparing these professionals? What are the most probable future scenarios? These and other subjects were discussed at the Society for the Development of Medicine’s International Forum on “The Health Professional in  2021” in San Paulo, Brazil, on 1-2 August 2011.

Photo: Prof. Rubens Belfort Jr., President of the Society for the Development of Medicine; Prof., Hospital São Paulo. 

The forum was co-sponsored by Federal University of São Paulo, Hospital São Paulo, Brazilian Academy of Sciences, Brazilian Medical Association, SBPC, Interfarma and the National Academy of Medicine.

Lancet editor Richard Horton presented the Commission Report findings as an integral part of the forum, attended by 350 of the most important key opinion leaders. The faculty comprised former and current Ministers, University Presidents, Ambassadors, and Top Federal and State Health Officers. The Opening Ceremony featured Brazil’s Minister of Health, Dr. Alexandre Padilha.

In addition to Dr. Horton, international guests were: Ezekiel J. Emanuel (USA), Victor J. Dzau (USA), Manuel Dayrit (Switzerland), Stephen Birch (Canada), Janet Grant (UK) and Patrice Degoulet (France). 

Click here for a flyer in English about the forum.

A publication about the Forum in English, Spanish and Portuguese will be available by December 2011.