Brazil's main strategy in public health is the Family Health Program; however, the participation of healthcare professionals other than physicians and nurses in primary care activities is incipient. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review of the academic opinion regarding the physical therapist's role in the family health team. We performed searches in the Health Virtual Library (BVS/Bireme/PAHO/WHO) from January 1994 to July 2009. The adopted strategy was the intersection of the descriptors: Family Health Program, Family Health, Public Health, Physical therapy (specialties), Physical therapy (modalities). Of the 51 located studies, 14 were not available. The remaining studies were analyzed and seven were selected for respecting the inclusion criteria. It was concluded that, despite the efforts, the actions developed by the physical therapist in the Family Health Program are not clearly defined yet.
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