Unveiling the Landscape of Brazilian Clinical Oncologists: Challenges, Diversity, and Quality Care

Abstract

Cancer remains a significant public health challenge in Brazil, with an estimated 704 thousand new cases annually. Clinical oncology, a pivotal specialty in cancer diagnosis and treatment, has evolved since its formal establishment in 1946. Recent recognition by the Brazilian Federal Board of Medicine solidified its status, culminating in normative resolution nr. 2,162/2017. The present study aims to characterize Brazilian clinical oncologists and analyze their epidemiological and structural contexts using data from the Brazilian Society of Clinical Oncology's 2023 census and secondary sources, including the National Cancer Institute (Instituto Nacional de Câncer [INCA], in Portuguese) and Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica [IBGE], in Portuguese). A cross-sectional design employing qualitative-quantitative methods surveyed 761 clinical oncologists, revealing insights into demographics, workload, stress levels, and challenges. The results highlight regional disparities in cancer mortality rates despite the concentration of oncology services in the South and Southeast. Challenges include access to new treatments, late diagnoses, and systemic underfunding. Moreover, this study underscores gender and racial disparities within the specialty, indicating a predominantly white and heterosexual profile among practitioners. Addressing these issues is crucial for enhancing healthcare equity and improving patients' outcomes in oncology practice.

Keywords

censuses - workforce - medical oncology

• References

• 1 INCA – Instituto Nacional de Câncer, INCA estima 704 mil casos de câncer por ano no Brasil até. 2025 . Available at INCA estima 704 mil casos de câncer por ano no Brasil até 2025—Instituto Nacional de Câncer – INCA ( www.gov.br ) Accessed on October 2, 2023.
• 2 Ministério da Saúde. Resenha contra o câncer no Brasil: documentário do Serviço Nacional de Câncer. Brasília:: Ministry of Health;; 2007
• 3 Silva MG, Arrfegi MM. Residência médica na área de cancerologia no Brasil: distribuição dos programas e da oferta de vagas por região em. 2003 . Available at: Residência médica na área de cancerologia no Brasil: distribuição dos programas e da oferta de vagas por região em 2003 ( inca.gov.br ). Accessed on October 11, 2023.
• 4 Brazilian Federal Board of Medicine (CFM). CFM Resolution No. 2,162/ 2017 . Available from: https://sistemas.cfm.org.br/normas/visualizar/rresolucoe/BR/2017/2162 . Accessed on October 11, 2023.
• 5 Brazilian Society of Clinical Oncology. Medical Residency Program in Clinical Oncology. SBOC, 2018
• 6 Scheffer M, Guilloux AGA, Miotto B, De Jesus Almeida C. Demografia Médica no Brasil 2023 . São Paulo, SP:: FMUSP, AMB; 2023. :344 p. ISBN: 978-65-00-60986-8
• 7 SIM, Mortality Information System. Available from: https://opendatasus.saude.gov.br/pt_BR/dataset/sim
• 8 National Registry of Health Establishments. 2023 . Available from: https://cnes.datasus.gov.br/
• 9 Scheffer M, Cassenote A, Guerra A. , et al Demografia Médica no Brasil 2020 . São Paulo, SP:: FMUSP, CFM, 2020. . 312 p. ISBN: 978-65-00-12370-8.
• 10 Fredrich VCR, Coelho ICM, Sanches LC. Desvelando o racismo na escola médica: experiência e enfrentamento do racismo pelos estudantes negros na graduação em Medicina. Trabalho, Educação e Saúde, Rio de Janeiro, v. 20,. 2022 , e00421184. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1590/1981-7746-ojs421 . Accessed on January 10, 2024.
• 11 American Society of Clinical Oncology. 2022 Snapshot – State of the Oncology Workforce in America. Available from: https://asco.org/equity