Opportunities for physical therapy contributions to primary health care in the South of Brazil

To identify opportunities for physical therapy contributions in an area covered by the Family Health Strategy in the South of Brazil. In this cross-sectional study, 629 households were visited and information on 2 316 people was collected using a semi-structured instrument investigating the occurrence of health problems that could benefit from physical therapy (diabetes, hypertension, musculoskeletal diseases, neurological disorders, respiratory diseases in adults and children). When health problems were identified, we investigated whether the families or patients had received guidance to improve quality of life, and which professionals had provided advice. Finally, we investigated whether respondents were familiar with physical therapy and if they had required this type of care in their lifetime or in the past 12 months. The following health problems were reported by 629 participating families: diabetes (11.9%), hypertension (46.9%), musculoskeletal disorders (36.7%), neurological diseases (3.4%), respiratory diseases in adults (18.9%) and children (15.7%) and developmental delay (3.8%). Specific guidance was provided to 57.3% of people with diabetes, 64.1% of people with hypertension, 39.8% of people with musculoskeletal disorders, 45.5% of neurological patients, 26.9% of adults and 60.6% of children with respiratory diseases and 62.5% of children with developmental delay. Regarding knowledge about the profession, 92.4% of respondents were familiar with physical therapy. Of these, 41% reported having had the need for physical therapy, mostly (54.4%) for trauma/orthopedic disorders. The present results warrant the inclusion of physical therapists as part of the Family Health Strategy team in Brazil.