CONCEPTION OF HEALTH ACADEMICS ON THE NATIONAL POLICY OF INTEGRATION AND COMPLEMENTARY PRACTICES AND ITS APPLICABILITY IN THE SINGLE HEALTH SYSTEM IN BRAZIL

Abstract

Introduction: The National Policy on Integrative and Complementary Practices (NPICP) aims to guarantee integrality to health through practices with a holistic approach. Objectives: To evaluate the conception and the knowledge of the health academics about the NPICP and its applicability in Single Health System (SHS). Material and Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive study, composed of 56 health academics, who participated in an lecture "NATIONAL POLICY OF INTEGRATIVE AND COMPLEMENTARY PRACTICES IN SHS: Do You Know?". A semi-structured questionnaire, self-administered, before and after the lecture, was carried out. Data were described by absolute values and relative frequency. Results: Before the lecture, 67.9% were unaware of the NPICP and what were the Integrative and Complementary Practices (ICP),  66.1% were never clarified about the existence and applicability of these practices by health professionals and in their academic training, and 69.6% did not know if they could be offered in the SHS. After the lecture there were positive changes in this profile: 91,1% (p<0,001) were aware of the NPICP, 73,2% (p<0,001) were clarified about the existence and applicability of NPICP and 89,3% (p<0,001) knew that ICP could be offered in the SHS. Conclusion: The results suggest that the participants, after the lecture, extended their knowledge related to the NPICP. Follow-up studies are recommended, as well as extending research to healthcare professionals for comparison.