Nutritionist training in order to work in Primary Health Care: lecturers’ perspective

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the training of nutritionists to work in Primary Health Care (PHC), from the teaching perspective. Method: Qualitative study with professors of Nutrition Courses at Public Universities in the southeastern region of the country, identified by the official data system of the Ministry of Education, the e-MEC website. Data collection through a questionnaire with guiding questions and with results evaluated by Content Analysis. Results: Data was obtained from 21 professors from 13 Higher Education Institutions and organized into thematic categories: Theoretical framework in training nutritionists to work in PHC, classified as sectorial with a focus on food and nutrition, intersectoral with emphasis on food and nutrition in Collective Health and education related to the education and training of professionals; Nutritionist training in PHC: from the topics addressed to field practice, linked to the fields of Social and Economic Sciences, Feeding and Nutrition Sciences and Food Science; and Training in theoretical and practical perspectives, which indicates conventional strategies and also active methodologies. Conclusion: The public policies of the Unified Health System (SUS) favors the training of nutritionists to work in PHC, requiring greater teaching-service articulation to train nutritionists identified with social demands.