Integrative and complementary practices in health: possibilities for integral care

Abstract

Objective: To present the process of construction and implementation of the municipal plan of Integrative and Complementary Health Practices (PICS), through the mapping of knowledge and demand from professionals and users of the health care network. Methods: This is an action-research, developed in 2019 in a city of Minas Gerais, through the construction of a situational diagnosis after applying questionnaires to users, community health agents and health professionals from other categories, mainly active in Primary Health Care.The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee. Results: It was found that a significant portion of users make regular use of at least one of the PICS and would like to use such practices in a complementary manner to traditional therapy, if indicated by a health professional. However, although most professionals in the municipality are interested in implementing the practices in the daily care of their patients, the offer of these practices occurs in an unsystematized manner, without support from the Municipal Management. Conclusion: The mapped scenario indicates the need for interventions that favor the construction and systematic consolidation of PICS in a participatory manner, as a proposal of municipal health policy, with active participation of users, health professionals, and educational institutions.