Perspectives for permanent health education in the north of the state of Minas Gerais

Abstract

This study aimed to identify and analyse experiences of continuing health education promoted by the Unified Health System in the northern region of Minas Gerais, Brazil. This is an extract from a national descriptive research with a quantitative and qualitative approach coordinated by the Ribeirao Preto Nursing School of the University of São Paulo, Brazil, in partnership with the Federal University of Minas Gerais and the State University of Montes Claros (Unimonte). The latter was responsible for the research in the northern region of the State of Minas Gerais. The programs in continuing health education and the study subjects were identified by exploratory research. Data collection instruments were a semi-structured interview applied to local managers and observation of health professionals during a workshop of the Primary Health Care Master Plan. Exploratory data analysis allowed the mapping of the Primary Health Care Master Plan and of the Continuing Medical Education Program. Discourse analysis demonstrated that these experiences are related to continuing education and are vital to the transformation of health practices and the organization of the primary health network. Both programs are under construction.