Plantas medicinais e fitoterapia: uma visão de profissionais prescritores da Atenção Primária à Saúde de Juiz de Fora – MG, Brasil

Abstract

The use of medicinal plants (MP) and herbal medicines (HM) is an important therapeutic instrument of pharmaceutical care, especially in developing countries, where the population depends on government measures for the treatment of their illnesses. In this sense, this study aims to know the view of prescribers of Primary Health Care (PHC) in Juiz de Fora, MG, on the use of MP and HM. A semi-structured questionnaire was applied to determine variables, such as profile of prescribers, knowledge about PM and HM policies, academic background, botanical identification, difference in plant protection products, insertion in professional practice, vision of the service, interest in qualification, prescription to users, E-SUS registration, educational groups, vegetable gardens and MP name recognition. Of the total of 112 professionals, nurses (33.93%), pharmacists (25%), physicians (29.46%) and dentists (11.61%) participated in this study. These professionals work in the family health strategy (FHS), female, aged 31 to 40 years, level of specialization and work in the public sector. Regarding the National Policy on Integrative and Complementary Practices (NPICP), 56.25% of respondents know, while the National Policy on Medicinal Plants and Herbal Medicines (NPMPHM) is unknown by 61.61%. Of the participants, 66.07% claim that content on MP and HM were not addressed in graduation and 97.32% do not have a lato sensu specialization course in the area of MP and HM or in Integrative and Complementary Therapies. It was observed that 81.25% are unaware of the botanical identification procedure and 73.21% do not know the difference between MP, plant drug, plant derivative and HM. As for self-care and/or family, 61.61% use these products, but 76.79% do not prescribe them in professional practice. Of the respondents, 90.18% claim that there are no MP and HM services in the unit, 71.43% are interested in qualification, but 78.57% do not prescribe to users. Participants work in educational groups and register in the ESUS, but claim that there is no PM and FT group and no medicinal garden in the unit and community. Respondents participate in educational groups and register in the E-SUS, but claim that there is no MP and HM group and no medicinal garden in the unit and community. Nurses recognized the names of 52 medicinal species (86.67%), pharmacists 60 (100.00%), physicians 51 (85.00%) and dentists 40 (66.67%). Therefore, the implementation of integrative and complementary practices in PHC in Juiz de Fora (MG) requires actions and investments on the part of managers, as well as training of prescribing professionals to comply with legal requirements and carry out their activities with efficiency and quality with SUS Users.