Characterization and analysis of the proposals submitted to the PET-Health Interprofessionality in Brazil: advancements and future directions

ABSTRACT

The Program of Education through Work for Health (PET-Health), with a focus on interprofessionality, is one of the actions of the Plan for the Strengthening of Interprofessional Education in Brazil. This research aimed to systematically analyze the characteristics of the proposals submitted to the public notice of the PET-Health Interprofessionality specifically in relation to the theoretical-conceptual and methodological alignment of interprofessional education (IPE). The study is a qualitative document content analysis. We analyzed one hundred and twenty projects submitted to the selection process from institutions participating in the PET-Health Interprofessionality. Content analysis followed three steps: pre-analysis, exploration of the material, and treatment and interpretation of results. Seven categories were identified: a) alignment with the theoretical-conceptual frameworks of IPE, b) curriculum changes, c) faculty development with a focus on IPE, d) articulation among objectives, actions, and results expected related to IPE, e) strategies for monitoring and evaluation, f) involvement of users/families and community, and g) development of collaborative competencies. We conclude that while some advancements have been made, there remains a need for more in-depth discussion in Brazil to ensure the development of competencies capable of assuring more integral, resolute, and safer healthcare services, with capacity to (re)signify user-centered care in the planning and delivery of healthcare.

KEYWORDS:

• Collaborative competence
• collaborative practice
• interprofessional education
• learning health system
• qualitative research
• work-based learning

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the PAHO/WHO and the Ministry of Health for funding the process of construction of scientific evidence on the implications of projects approved in the public notice of the PET-Health Interprofessionality on the induction of changes in training and work in healthcare. They also thank the Ministry of Health of Brazil for ensuring scholarships over a two-year period for the projects to take place and for authorizing access to the data of semiannual and annual reports produced by the PET-Health Interprofessionality projects.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1. The National Program of Reorientation and Training of Professionals in Healthcare (Programa Nacional de Reorientação da Formação de Profissionais em Saúde - Pró Saúde) was instituted in 2005 with the main goal of inducing teaching-service integration. The fifth edition of the PET-Health proposed an articulation between the two programs.

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by the PAHO/WHO and the Ministry of Health via the letter of agreement SCON2018-00510.

Notes on contributors

Marcelo Viana da Costa

Marcelo Viana da Costa is a professor at the Multicampi School of Medical Sciences at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte. Coordinator of the Postgraduate Programme in Education, Practice and Innovation in Medicine. Former coordinator of the Brazilian Network for Interprofessional Education and Practice in Health (ReBETIS).

Cristiano Gil Regis

Cristiano Gil Regis is a Professor at the Federal University of Acre. Vice-coordinator of the Brazilian Network for Interprofessional Education and Practice in Health (ReBETIS).

Adson Araceli Alves Dantas

Adson Araceli Alves Dantas has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, specialist in Information and Communication Technology Management, specialist in Strategic People Management and master’s degree in Process Management.

José Rodrigues Freire Filho

José Rodrigues Freire Filho is a professor in the Postgraduate Program in Public Health at the Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto at the University of São Paulo (USP). Member of the Global Confederation for Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice and representative of the Executive Secretariat of the Regional Network for Interprofessional Education of the Americas (REIP).

Guilherme Rodrigues Barbosa

Guilherme Rodrigues Barbosa is a professor on the Physiotherapy course at the Federal University of Sergipe. He is currently assistant coordinator of the Physiotherapy Department in Lagarto. Member of the Brazilian Network for Interprofessional Education and Practice in Health (ReBETIS).

Rosana Aparecida Salvador Rossit

Rosana Aparecida Salvador Rossit is an undergraduate and postgraduate course assessor. She is a retired professor at the Federal University of São Paulo - Baixada Santista.