Tobacco Cessation Program Selection and Training in the Unified Health System: Manager and Health Care Professional Perspectives in the State of Paraná, Brazil

Objective: to identify the perspectives of health care managers and professionals regarding health care professional selection and training for the Unified Health System (SUS) Tobacco Cessation Program. Methods: this was a descriptive study conducted in seven municipalities in the state of Parana, Brazil, in 2012. The sample included 84 service managers and 118 health care professionals. Results: the majority of the 202 participants (98%) indicated that health care professionals who demonstrate interest and request participation or have appropriate profile are selected. 81.2% of them indicated that the training is excellent or good, 51% were satisfied with the training available, 64.4% were not satisfied with the number of professionals trained, and 42.1% considered the number of professionals trained met patient demand. Conclusion: the participants are satisfied with the training. However, some suggestions were raised to improve both training and communication among professionals.