Desafios e potencialidades para estruturação do Núcleo de Educação Permanente em Saúde no município de Caicó/RN

Abstract

The Permanent Health Education Centers (NEPS) are an organizational strategy for conducting educational actions to produce professional qualification in work processes in the SUS, articulate teaching-service integration, and encourage discussions about public health policies and their management. The present study aims to analyze the process of implementing the Center for Permanent Education in Health and Integration of Teaching and Community Service (NEPS-IESC) in an inland municipality in Rio Grande do Norte. The investigation brings a qualitative approach of an exploratorydescriptive nature, structured based on action research. The study comprises exploratory and planning phases and an action plan. The results were constructed based on the definition of three thematic categories for analysis: I) Weaknesses and Tensions; II) Potentials and Needs; III) Plans and Notes. Based on the procedural analysis of the these themes, we identified the need to create a guide on the flows and activities inherent to the NEPS, as well as an action plan that encourages the continuity of the process of organizing the work processes of the NEPS-IESC. It is expected that this instrument will be incorporated by the local Municipal Health Department with the fundamental intention of strengthening Teaching-Service-Community integration and boosting professional qualification both in assistance and in the management of the Unified Health System (SUS). It is concluded that the institution of a municipal NEPS is essential for strengthening Teaching-Service-Community integration, supporting the articulation of teaching in health services, and promoting the qualification of work management.