O Direito Sanitário nos cursos de graduação em Saúde Coletiva no Brasil: um estudo exploratório à luz das matrizes curriculares

Objective: To analyze the teaching of Health Law in undergraduate Public Health courses in Brazil. Methodology: A descriptive and exploratory approach was adopted, based on documentary analysis, to investigate undergraduate courses in Collective Health in Brazil. Data from the e-MEC and the Brazilian Association of Collective Health's Forum on Undergraduate Studies in Collective Health were used to map the institutions offering this course. The curricular matrices were identified through their institutional websites. Thematic analysis, based on a theoretical framework, made it possible to categorize the data and identify patterns. Results: 24 courses were identified. These courses are distributed across all regions of the country, with the North having the largest number of courses. The analysis revealed that the inclusion of health law content is limited in these courses. When it is covered in various subjects, it can become an “invisible” topic, losing its specificity and importance. Although a specific subject guarantees greater depth, it can isolate Health Law from other course content. Conclusion: The results of this research highlight the importance of adapting and planning the curricula of undergraduate courses in Public Health, especially in relation to the teaching of Health Law, with a view to improving the training of professionals in the area by stimulating transdisciplinarity in the courses, encouraging professional practice and promoting a more comprehensive view of the health system, enabling them to lead processes of social transformation in public health. We also recommend investigating the teaching strategies used to improve the applicability of health law in these courses. Submitted: 10/24/24| Revision: 12/09/24| Approved: 12/22/24