Precariousness of medical work in Paraíba: ethical impacts

Abstract

Brazil faces an increasing precariousness in public services, as well as in medical work. Paraíba has a peculiar contracting modality called “codification”, an unconstitutional employment relationship established without a signed contract, in which the physicians is paid for service provision without guarantee of labor rights. This arcticle discusses the precariousness of medical work in the State of Paraíba by examining the codification system and its bioethical implications. This is a cross-sectional study with data from the transparency portal of the State Court of Accounts on codified physicians. Results show that 1,474 physicians work in the state health care system, 716 (48.6%) of whom were
hired through public entrance examinations and 758 (51.4%) by codification. Significantly, 55.8% of codified physicians are men (p = 0.001) and 67.1% work in Paraíba’s Zona da Mata region (p = 0.021).
More than a third is registered as clinicians. Recognizing the social value of the physician is essential to prevent negative impacts on job stability and on the formation of bonds between workers and users. We must re-establish human dignity in this context.