Knowledge About the Use of Integrative and Complementary Practices in Medicine Students at a Private Institution in Belém Do Pará

Abstract

Introduction:The Integrative and Complementary Practices (PICs) approach the individual in a holistic way, aiming at the prevention or treatment of diseases, focusing on lifestyle and emotions. PICs are resources capable of acting in different aspects of health, providing both the recovery of health and the prevention of diseases and injuries, whether physical or mental. The professionals who exercise this model offer different alternatives for health promotion. Objective: To identify knowledge about the use of PICs by medical students in the 6th, 7th and 8th period at a private institution in Belém do Pará. Methodology: The methodology chosen was the descriptive field technique, applied directly through data collection with 100 students. Results: Most were female, with an average age between 22 and 25 years. It was noticed that 83% of the students knew what PICs were, and most had already used one of them, the main ones being: aromatherapy; phytotherapy and medicinal plants. However, most rarely use PICs, with more than 70% reporting that they would recommend PICs and that, after learning about them, they would recommend them to their patients. Finally, 80% would like this subject to be addressed at the faculty in the curricular stage, and more than 90% would like to obtain more information about PICs. Conclusion: It was possible to notice that most medical students use or have already used integrative and complementary practices and had positive results. However, it was observed that knowledge during the course of medicine is scarce, requiring introduction in some curricular stage of the faculty, in the theoretical and practical scope. In addition, the students showed great interest in going deeper into the subject, so that it can be used as a therapeutic alternative.