Its is presented a study on the teachers' perception of a training program directed to the identification and care of schoolchildren with health problems. The intention being to offer data useful for the planning of teachers' training programs for governmental sectors concerned with this subject. The population comprised 532 first-grade teachers of public elementary schools located in thirteen counties of the S.Paulo State (Brazil) in wich the "Integrated System of Medical Care for Schoolchildren" had first been implanted. A questionnaire was used for data collection. Results showed that 74.3% of the teachers considered themselves to be trained in health observation techniques and in health problem-solving measures. The orientation provided by the School Health Coordinator (SHC) covered from 70 to 100% of teachers working in the geographical areas mentioned. The relationship shown between the orientation provided by the SHC and a better performance in terms of the teacher's self-evaluations regarding his/her preparation is a fact that probably indicates the efficacy of the work of the SHCs. An increase in these actions at the state public school network level, enlarging the teacher's knowledge and understanding regarding his/her participation in school health programs is recommended.
School health; School health services; Inservice training; Teacher