Assessment of the courses of prevention of disabilities in Hansen's disease national reference center in Brazil--a national investigation.

Among the efforts endeavored for inclusion of prevention of disabilities in programmes of control of Hansen's Disease in Brazil, "Lauro de Sousa Lima" sanitary dermatology Hospital, Bauru, São Paulo State, performed the role of the main center of formation of human resources as national reference center and as reference center for Portuguese speaking countries, by World Health Organization. In this communication, results obtained are presented on a study performed with the aim of knowing judgements of ex-students about this process. Four hundred and sixteen professionals have been investigated, with a final amount of 151 respondents. Data obtained, besides distinguishing them in conformity with their basic formation and geographic area, quantify their appreciations on degree of learning, distribution according to the scheme of work in respective sanitary units and contributions of the course for their activities, not only in service level, but also as multipliers. Frequency and quantity of co-workers in the same unity, period of performance, as well as relationship between training and existence of systematic activities of prevention of disabilities in their place of work are also inquired. In conclusion, maintenance of the existing course is strongly recommended, since case studies of Brazilian sanitary realities were taken as models of discussion, with emphasis on primary attention and integration of prevention of disabilities to general conditions of treatment.