Impact of the Training of Professionals from São Paulo Public Health System in Phytotherapy Practice

Linete Maria Menzenga Haraguchi,Adriana Sañudo,Elisaldo Luiz De Araujo Carlini,Eliana Rodrigues,Herbert Cervigni

doi:10.1590/1981-5271v44.1-20190190.ing

Linete Maria Menzenga Haraguchi, Adriana Sañudo + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/1981-5271v44.1-20190190.ing

Copy DOI

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Following the introduction in 2006 of the National Policy on Integrative and Complementary Practices, and The National Policy on Medicinal Plants and Herbal Medicines, the Municipal Secretariat for the Environment of the City Hall of Sao Paulo initiated the Medicinal Plants Course, later expanded to The Medicinal Plants and Herbal Medicines Course for the training of health professionals. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the 2014 and 2015 edition of the course “Medicinal Plants and Herbal Medicines” on health professional practices. Methods: An exploratory and descriptive study was conducted with a qualitative-quantitative approach. The quantitative process (Phase I) consisted of a questionnaire being emailed to health professionals who were involved in the course, divided into seven categories: biomedical professional, dental surgeon, nurse, pharmacist, physiotherapist, physician and nutritionist; and, out of 165 questionnaires, 114 responses were received (69.1%). The Qualitative and Quantitative process (Phase II), comprised semi-structured, in-person individual interviews to obtain detailed information on Phytotherapy practices, with 73 health professionals being interviewed, before and after the training, comparing their practices afterwards. Results: The course had a positive impact on the acceptance and application of Phytotherapy by health professionals with a significant increase (p<0.001) in the expansion of activities related to Phytotherapy (herbal tea “meetings”, medicinal herb gardens and capacity training), regarding the use of herbal products, such as Matricaria chamomilla (chamomile), Maytenus ilicifolia (espinheira-santa), Valeriana officinalis (valeriana). An increase in the knowledge of Phytotherapy risks was also observed, although there was no increase in the reporting of adverse reactions. The study confirmed the importance of the inclusion of Medicinal Plants and Herbal Medicines Courses as part of undergraduate and postgraduate school, as well as the technical training and continuing education for SUS health professionals. Conclusion: The positive impact found out in almost all evaluated aspects, such as the increase in the knowledge and in the prescription of herbal medicines, confirms the importance of such courses. The results suggest the training promoted a positive impact on the Phytotherapy practice of the Public Health System professionals in São Paulo.

Highlights

Following the introduction in 2006 of the National Policy on Integrative and Complementary Practices, and The National Policy on Medicinal Plants and Herbal Medicines, the Municipal Secretariat for the Environment of the City Hall of Sao Paulo initiated the Medicinal Plants Course, later expanded to The Medicinal Plants and Herbal Medicines Course for the training of health professionals
For the course enrollment process, the health professionals were appointed by the Primary Care Sector of the Municipal Health Secretariats involved in the project and at the time of enrollment they filled out a registration form containing several questions to assess knowledge and work in the area of medicinal plants / phytotherapy before the course, and their expectations, among others
“Medicinal Plants and Phytotherapy” has had a positive impact on the practice of phytotherapy carried out by professionals from the municipal public health system in São Paulo and Guarulhos, regarding several aspects, contributing to the expansion and improvement of phytotherapy care to patients, in addition to stimulating the professionals to improve their knowledge on the topic

Summary

Introduction

Following the introduction in 2006 of the National Policy on Integrative and Complementary Practices, and The National Policy on Medicinal Plants and Herbal Medicines, the Municipal Secretariat for the Environment of the City Hall of Sao Paulo initiated the Medicinal Plants Course, later expanded to The Medicinal Plants and Herbal Medicines Course for the training of health professionals. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the 2014 and 2015 edition of the course “Medicinal Plants and Herbal Medicines” on health professional practices. The use of medicinal plants is based on the accumulation of information for successive generations and constituted the basis for the treatment of different diseases[1]. It started to be officially recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as of 1978, during the International Conference on Primary Health Care, by the Alma-Ata Declaration[2]. As part of the PNPMF, the Ministry of Health (MoH) in 2007 included herbal medicines in the list of essential medicines, aiming to stimulate and support their use in the public network and, currently, 12 of them are part of the National List of Essential Medicines (RENAME), which can be acquired through subsidy from the pharmaceutical assistance policy[6]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion