Continuing education and quality in a public hospital: A descriptive study

Abstract

Aim: to analyze educational activities developed with health professionals in the light of the concepts of quality and continuing health education (CHE). Methods: this is a descriptive study using a qualitative approach. The survey was conducted through interviews with fifteen key informants who are representatives of different professional groups in a public hospital, located in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro. Data were collected in September and October 2013 and were analyzed according to Bardin's procedures. Results: the institution, guided by the logic of hospital accreditation, develops normative educational activities, mostly focused on health recovery for specific areas, revealing a distancing of the educational logic advocated by CHE. Conclusion: A greater investment in CHE in the institution is an important tool for the necessary improvement of the role of health professionals.