OBJECTIVE:
to describe the frequency of referrals and the characteristics of patients referred to physiotherapy services by Conceição Hospital Group Community Health Service Primary Health Care Units (PHCU).
METHODS:
this is a cross-sectional and descriptive study using primary and secondary data obtained from questionnaires and referral forms for the period July to September 2012.
RESULTS:
analyzing 258 forms, we found 1.1% frequency of referral to physical therapy with higher prevalence of women (70.5%) and non-elderly women (59.4%). The two most prevalent clinical diagnoses were osteoarthrosis (29.1%) and tendinosis/soft tissue injuries (27.1%). 87.1% of patients referred pain and at last 48.1% of these were partially unable to work.
CONCLUSION:
prevalence of PHCU referrals to physiotherapy is low, although the population is subject to chronic illness problems, with pain as an aggravating factor and interference in work capacity.
Epidemiology, Descriptive; Health Service Needs and Demands; Physical Therapy Specialty; Primary Health Care
