ABSTRACT
Abstract: Introduction: Physical activity is essential for preventing and treating many diseases. Although physicians are the most influential health professionals in advising their patients on the benefits of physical activity, most medical degree programs in Brazil do not seem to include physical activity topics in their curricula. Objective: This study aimed to investigate physical activity topics on active medical curricula in Brazil. Method: The research was conducted separately in April 2015 and February 2019 using a governmental resource, the e-MEC system, and search in internet databases. Data were split into categories according to the type of enrollment (mandatory or optional) of the courses that have subjects or thematic modules with topics on physical activity, type of activities (theoretical, practical, or theoretical-practical), and emphasis on the content (health, performance, or health and performance). Results: Of the 223 medical curricula compiled in 2015 and 286 in 2019, respectively, only 24 (10.8%) and 19 (6.7%) had at least one subject or thematic module concerning physical activity with emphasis on health. Conclusion: In Brazil, the number of undergraduate medical curricula covering physical activity topics is still small and suffered a reduction between 2015 and 2019, which should warn medical education institutions about the need to include physical activity longitudinally distributed contents, with theoretical and - if possible - practical approaches, and emphasis on health promotion and treatment of diseases, in mandatory curricular units.
Resumo: Introdução: A atividade física é essencial para prevenir e tratar muitas doenças. Embora os médicos sejam os profissionais de saúde que mais influenciam a orientação de seus pacientes sobre os benefícios da atividade física, a maioria dos programas de graduação em Medicina no Brasil parece não incluir tópicos sobre atividade física em seus currículos. Objetivo: Este estudo teve como objetivo investigar a presença de tópicos sobre atividade física nos currículos médicos ativos no Brasil. Método: A pesquisa foi realizada separadamente em abril de 2015 e fevereiro de 2019, utilizando um recurso governamental, o sistema e-MEC, e pesquisa em bancos de dados da internet. Os dados foram divididos em categorias, de acordo com a condição de matrícula (obrigatória ou opcional) dos cursos com disciplinas ou módulos temáticos contendo tópicos sobre atividade física, tipo de atividades (teóricas, práticas ou teórico-práticas) e ênfase no conteúdo (saúde, desempenho ou saúde e desempenho). Resultado: Dos 223 currículos médicos compilados em 2015 e 286 em 2019, respectivamente, apenas 24 (10,8%) e 19 (6,7%) apresentaram pelo menos uma disciplina ou módulo temático contendo tópico sobre atividade física com ênfase em saúde. Conclusão: No Brasil, o número de currículos de graduação em Medicina contemplando tópicos de atividade física ainda é pequeno e sofreu uma redução entre 2015 e 2019, o que deve servir de alerta para as instituições de ensino médico quanto à necessidade de inclusão de conteúdos longitudinalmente distribuídos sobre atividade física, com abordagens teórica e, se possível, prática, e com ênfase na promoção da saúde e no tratamento de doenças, em unidades curriculares obrigatórias.
Subject(s)
Humans , Schools, Medical , Exercise , Curriculum , Education, Medical , Health PromotionABSTRACT
Aims: This study promoted a screening of the geographical distribution and scientific production of the Brazilian research groups on interventions with diet and/or exercise in cancer. Methods: A systematic search on the current basis of the Directory of Research Groups of the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development was done to collect information such as name of group; name of leader; unit of federation; institution; year of creation; number of researchers, students and technicians; and the group's knowledge sub-area. All leaders' curricula were accessed to screen their general publications on cancer and their specific publications on nutrition, exercise and cancer. The publications were classified according to the QUALIS (2015) criteria of the Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel in the Physical Education area. Results: The Southeast has the highest number of active groups, but the North has no registered groups. The Midwest concentrates the largest number of members in its research groups and the largest overall scientific production on cancer, but the Southeast presents the largest specific production on nutrition, physical exercise and cancer. Most of the specific publications were B2. Conclusion: Research groups and scientific contributions involving this knowledge field need to be encouraged and better distributed geographically throughout the Brazilian territory.(AU)