Workforce and outpatient production in integrative and complementary practices in primary care in Brazil: Historical series from 2015 to 2024

Vollständiger Abstract

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Abstract: Context: The global advancement of Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Medicines in recent decades is notable. Brazil has distinguished itself by establishing one of the most effective policies for these practices within the country members of the United Nations. Nonetheless, the policy’s implementation faces considerable challenges. Structural transformations during the development of the Unified Health System at the municipal level have notably compromised the capacity to recruit and retain specialized technical personnel, hindering the policy’s full effectiveness. Aims: This study sought to describe outpatient production and workforce composition in Integrative and Complementary Health Practices in Brazil from 2015 to 2024. Subjects and Methods: A descriptive and retrospective study was carried out using the secondary data from the SISAB and IBGE, analyzing the outpatient production of integrative practices by different professional categories and their evolution during the historical series. Statistical Analysis Used: The absolute values and annual percentage variation of procedures were presented. Results: A drop in the production of practices was observed during 2020 and the very next year production resumed in considerable ascendancy. The professions that produced the most integrative practices during the historical series are: physiotherapists (2,576,540), nurses (1,351,532), nursing technicians and assistants (666,331), doctors (574,399), and physical educators (447,809). The practices with the highest production are those belonging to Chinese medical rationality (total = 5,793,587). Conclusions: There is a trend toward the use of traditional Chinese medicine practices. Although there is a larger contingent of professionals to the detriment of others, there is a considerable diversification of practices in each profession.