Continuing Health Education in elderly care: difficulties and facilitators of the Family Health Support Center^*

Educación Permanente en Salud en la atención al anciano: dificultades y facilidades del Núcleo de Apoyo a la Salud de la Familia

Abstract

Objectives:

To analyze the difficulties and facilitators of Continuing Health Education developed by the Núcleos de Apoio à Saúde da Família (NASF - Family Health Support Centers) in elderly care.

Method:

A qualitative and exploratory-descriptive study was developed with 46 NASF professionals. Data were obtained with the Focus Group technique and analyzed with basic lexicography using the IRaMuTeQ^® software, through Word Clouds. The theoretical-analytical framework adopted was Freire's Dialogical Theory.

Results:

The difficulties of Continuing Health Education in elderly care were experienced more frequently than facilitators, which were associated with lack of support, instruments and resources.

Conclusion and implications for practice:

Portraying Continuing Health Education can contribute to the reflection, planning and evaluation of educational practices and elderly care practiced by the NASF.

Keyword:
Primary Health Care; Continuing Education; Elderly Care; Public Health Policies