Education and health services integration: an integrative review of the literature

Abstract

This study proposes to analyze the characteristics of teaching-service integration for academia and health and community services from an integrative review of the national literature. The search was carried out in the System of Latin American Literature in Health Sciences (LILACS) and resulted in the selection of 54 publications. The predominant type of study was of case studies with theoretical reflections focused on basic care and courses in Nursing and Medicine. In academia, a reduction in the between theory and practice dichotomy and an approach closer to the principles of the Unified Health System is observed. The integration helps services in the development of actions and training professionals improving the quality of care. The described difficulties are asymmetric relations of power, distance between actors, work overload, and inadequacy of the physical structure in the services. The need for changes in relations and teaching methods is evident and should include increased involvement of actors and changes in the epistemological conception.