Permanent education as management enhancer of brazilian health system: managers’s perception

Abstract

Aim: to identify managers of the Brazilian health system’s perception regarding the continuing health education in the extreme West macroregion of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Method: descriptive, exploratory qualitative study, developed with health managers that integrate a westernmost region of the state of Santa Catarina. Twenty-one health managers were interviewed. The data was analyzed by the content’s analysis proposal. Results: Noteworthy is the lack of training in health among the managers. There are misconceptions regarding the use of the terminologies permanent and continuing education in health, however, managers recognize the continuing education as a pursuit of knowledge from the working practice and as a management tool. Final considerations: permanent education has been incorporating, gradually, the work of professionals, especially in the nursing area, by recognizing their role in the leadership of health management processes