INSTRUMENTOS DE GESTÃO PARTICIPATIVA NO SUS: ANÁLISE DA DEMOCRATIZAÇÃO DAS RELAÇÕES DE TRABALHO EM SAÚDE

Introduction: Participatory management is essential to the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS), promoting democratic spaces for workers, managers and users. Despite advances, significant challenges remain for its full implementation. Objectives: To analyze participatory management instruments in SUS and their relevance for democratizing health labor relations. Methodology: Qualitative bibliographic research with content analysis. Scientific databases and official documents published between 2020 and 2025 were consulted using descriptors related to participatory management and labor relations in SUS. Results: Five main instruments were identified: Health Councils and Conferences, SUS Ombudsman Offices, Permanent Negotiation Forums and Career and Salary Plans. These mechanisms, when effectively implemented, favor more democratic labor relations. However, obstacles such as centralizing organizational culture and discontinuity of public policies persist. Final Considerations: The analyzed instruments have strong potential for democratization. Their effectiveness depends on overcoming authoritarian management practices and appropriation by involved social actors.