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(Reference retrieved automatically from SciELO through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Support for and resistance to Homeopathy among managers of the Unified National Health System

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Author(s):
Sandra Abrahão Chaim Salles [1] ; Lilia Blima Schraiber
Total Authors: 2
Affiliation:
[1] Universidade de São Paulo. Faculdade de Medicina - Brasil
Total Affiliations: 2
Document type: Journal article
Source: Cadernos de Saúde Pública; v. 25, n. 1, p. 195-202, 2009-01-00.
Abstract

This article presents partial findings from a study on trends towards greater or lesser proximity between homeopathic and allopathic physicians, from the perspective of the latter. Forty-eight health professionals were interviewed (faculty, managers, and physicians working in the public health system). This specific article focused only on the interviews with health system managers. The following concepts were used as references: social and scientific field (Bourdieu); medical rationalities (Madel Luz); technological arrangements in health work (Mendes-Gonçalves); and physician's professional identity (Donnangelo & Schraiber). According to the findings, support by managers for the presence of Homeopathy in the Unified National Health System is related to their perception of social demand, defense of patients' right to choose, and the observation that it is a medical practice that reclaims the humanist dimension of medicine, thus contributing to user satisfaction. The difficulties and resistances identified by managers highlight that the lack of information on homeopathic procedures limits the possibilities for use of Homeopathy because it leads to insecurity towards this area of medicine. (AU)