Recovery and Rehabilitation in the Context of Health Care for Victims of Accidents and Violence in Brazil

Abstract This article aims to analyze healthcare implementation in recovery and rehabilitation in the country, considering the assistance offered to victims of violence and accidents. Rehabilitation corresponds to the specific guideline of the National Policy on Morbimortality due to Accidents and Violence. A descriptive quantitative study was conducted nationwide by analyzing data collected through the electronic platform to access a questionnaire sent to the municipal health secretaries of the 5,570 Brazilian municipalities (113 answered). The results revealed advances in some areas, such as formulating regulations, decentralizing care, and increasing the availability of services and variability of professionals in most participating cities. However, we identified historical gaps, such as the sector’s underfunding, weak infrastructure and human resources, problems regarding the provision of orthoses and prostheses, and unequal distribution of services in the country’s regions. Although the recovery/rehabilitation backdrop of accident and violence victims has improved in Brazil in recent years, it is still far from offering a universal, comprehensive, and equitable service.