Residents’ perceptions of the pedagogical preparation of preceptors in the Brazilian Unified Health System (BUHS) and associated factors

Abstract

Abstract Preceptors are workers in the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) and perform the function of mediators of teaching in service to graduate students. This research study examines the residents’ perceptions of the pedagogical preparation of preceptors in the SUS and associated factors. We conducted a cross-sectional study with data collected via an online self-report questionnaire. Poisson regression with robust variance was used in multivariate analysis. Of 151 residents, 59 (39.1%) considered the preceptor to be pedagogically prepared (PPP). Recognizing the preceptor as an important actor for establishing the connection between theoretical knowledge and practice (vs unimportant) and the preceptor holding meetings for planning, monitoring, and evaluation of the proposed actions during the teaching-learning process (vs not holding) increased by 41% (PR 1.41; 95% CI, 1.33–1.50) and 33% (PR 1.33; 95% CI, 1.20–1.47), respectively, the likelihood of residents considering the PPP. Performing activities to manage the work process in the primary health care unit and implementing an intervention project in the unit under the supervision of preceptors increased by 18% (PR 1.18; 95% CI, 1.05–1.32) and 13% (PR 1.13; 95% CI, 1.01–1.27), respectively, the likelihood of residents considering the PPP compared with not performing the proposed activities. These findings are essential to align interprofessional education with education guidelines and public health policies in Brazil. Also, our results can provide useful information for the development of pedagogical guidelines for Multiprofessional Residency Programs in Brazil and in other low- and middle-income countries.