Integrative and Complementary Therapies in Primary Health Care: a way to humanize care

DOI: 10.15343/0104-7809.2012363442451

Abstract

This study aimed to identify how the incorporation of complementary and integrative practices in Primary Health Care has
helped to promote the humanization of care. We developed a systematic literature survey using the descriptors ‘Atenção
Primária em Saúde’ (Primary Health Care) and ‘Práticas Integrativas e Complementares’ (Complementary Therapies) and
the connector AND in the following databases: PubMed and EMBASE, looking for articles published until 2011. A total of
1434 references were found, and 680 of these were selected by title and 15 by abstract. The ideal to include CAM in the
APS is to think within the logic of humanized care, and to do this we must consider: to promote research on CAM, to insert
CAM in undergraduate courses and in health professionals training, to promote international collaboration, to promote the
meeting between traditional healers and health care practitioners, and the organization of a list of herbal and medicinal
plants recommended by health systems.