Analysis of the situation of health economics in Brazil: a scientific approach in the production area

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to analyze the situation of the study in Health Economics in Brazil, due to the importance of economics in the area of Health. To this end, we conducted a bibliometric research for the period August 2004 to December 2010, encompassing publications, authors and research groups, updating part of a 2004 study by a research group at UFMG. Were found 861 publications, that were related to the area of Health Economics, and 665 articles, 149 books and 47 theses. The theme "management, funding, allocation, equity" was the most searched with 43.6% of the publications. Regarding the type of study, "Studies on health management and / or public policy" was the most accomplished with 40.8%. The Academy is primarily responsible for the publications, accounting for 60% of these. The Southeast is the region with most publications, with 68%, but has been losing ground. With respect to research groups in Health Economics, realized that decreased from 47 to 41 such groups and the southeastern region has the most groups, with 66% of the total. FIOCRUZ is the institution with the largest number of groups. Profile of the authors involved in the area was noted the high degree of titration, since 54.4% of authors have PhD and 4.8% have title Post Doctorate. Regarding the formation of the authors, it was noted that the majority, 40% are physicians, and economists who comes in fifth with 6%, and the first outside of medical science in the standings.