DISTANCE EDUCATION

A POSSIBILITY OF ACCESS TO PERMANENT EDUCATION FOR ORAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS IN THE UNIFIED HEALTH SYSTEM

Abstract

To respond to the needs related to health education of professionals in the Unified Health System (SUS), it is necessary to produce methodologies that meet the challenge of training professionals according to their work context. Distance education (EaD) can represent a strategic path in reconciling study and work. The objective of this study was to analyze the EaD course – ‘Work process in oral health: knowing the attributions of Primary Health Care and the protocols for referral to the specialized network’ –, as a learning space and access to permanent education for health professionals. SUS oral health. The intention was to identify advantages and challenges of this type of education bringing the perception of its participants. The research is characterized by a qualitative approach, of the case study type. The course participants were 32 professionals who make up the oral health teams of the SUS, including dentists, oral health technicians (TSB) and oral health assistants (ASB). Data collection was carried out throughout the development of the course through forums and interaction between the researcher/teacher and the course professionals. In addition, a course evaluation questionnaire composed of open and closed questions answered by the participants completing the course was used. The course participants showed EaD training as advantageous in terms of flexibility and ease of access according to availability compared to face-to-face education. The course is a learning space and exchanging knowledge among students when it has the active participation of the teacher. The study showed EaD as a possibility of permanent education for SUS oral health professionals.