Potencialidade e desafios para a operacionalização da política nacional de educação permanente em saúde

Abstract

The National Policy on Permanent Health Education (PHE) constitutes the institutional framework of Brazil's Unified Health System (SUS) to guide the training of health professionals. Grounded in the principles of Permanent Health Education (EPS), it views work as a continuous space for collective learning, with educational practices anchored in service reality, the appreciation of workers’ prior knowledge, and the problematization of daily routines. The implementation of PNEPS across states and municipalities faces numerous challenges. This study aimed to analyze EPS as a training strategy in the municipality of Santos/SP, identifying both obstacles and potentialities. A qualitative approach was adopted, with an exploratory and descriptive design, based on semi-structured interviews with eight professionals working in primary, secondary, and tertiary care, as well as in the management of EPS within the Santos Municipal Health Department. The findings reveal a lack of knowledge or limited understanding of EPS in its operational dimension, conceptual confusion with continuing education, and several difficulties, such as workforce shortages, work overload, inadequate physical infrastructure, lack of planning, undervaluation of EPS, funding barriers, and weak participation of social control. On the other hand, strengths identified include the establishment of the School of Health, the presence of EPS Units in some facilities, and the promotion of meaningful learning. Weak coordination between the municipal EPS and the Regional Health Department of the 4th region emerged as a challenge to be addressed, considering that inter-institutional alignment is essential for developing training projects suited to local needs. Data systematization underscores the relevance of EPS in consolidating the SUS, while also highlighting the need for investments in strategic planning, improvement of facilities and staff, strengthening of social control, and implementation of effective monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. Interprofessionality and matrix support provided by multiprofessional teams are strategic elements for advancing the policy. Coordinated actions and technical support from the Ministry are required to ensure efficient use of financial resources. The study’s limitations include the lack of differentiation of contexts within the municipality, which may lead to generalizations. Future research could deepen this analysis, taking into account the specificities and objectives of each service.