International exchange in COVID-19 era: why Portugal?

• Autor(a) principal: Silva, Rodrigo Alberton da
• Data de Publicação: 2021
• Outros Autores: Silva Filho, Carlos Rodrigues da
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Revista Brasileira de Medicina de Família e Comunidade (Online)
• Texto Completo: https://www.rbmfc.org.br/rbmfc/article/view/2723
• topic: International Educational Exchange; Clinical Clerkship; Education, Medical; Family Practice; Emergency Medicine.; Intercambio Educacional Internacional; Prácticas Clínicas; Educación Médica; Medicina Familiar y Comunitaria; Medicina de Emergencia; Intercâmbio Educacional Internacional; Estágio Clínico; Educação Médica; Medicina de Família e Comunidade; Medicina de Emergências.

Problem: The international exchange is an excellent training tool for students and Portugal presents several advantages for Brazilian academics. However, the Brazilian literature lacks experience reports about these activities and students are often concerned about what activities will be developed, about what kind of health system will they find, and, recently, about how the pandemic unfolded in the destination country. Methods: This is a descriptive study, experience report format, referring to an international exchange in the health field, performed by a Brazilian student in Portugal. The manuscript was elaborated with bibliographic research and mnemonic rescue of experience. Results: The Portuguese health system operates similarly to the Brazilian one, relying on primary health care and decentralization, and presented good performance regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. The exchange occurred in the family medicine and emergency medicine field from the University of Lisbon, in early 2020, and comprised a broad range of activities, specially consultation tracking. The internship’s lessons include technical content of the consultations followed, non-scientific knowledge taught during routine and social experiences during the trip. Conclusion: Brazilian students will find familiarities and positive differences in the Portuguese health system and will observe excellent numbers regarding the control of the COVID-19 pandemic. The exchange in Portugal allowed the professional and personal growth of the student and it is recommended for Brazilian academics from the health field interested in a transcultural experience.