Organ, tissue and cell transplants in the context of primary health care in Brazil: systematic review

Introduction: This study analyzes the epidemiology of organ, tissue, and cell transplants in primary health care (PHC) in Brazil, considering the period between 2015 and 2025. Although the country has one of the largest public transplant programs in the world, challenges persist, such as family refusal, misinformation, and gaps in infrastructure, which can affect the effectiveness of actions and the quality of patient care. Methodology: A Systematic literature review was carried out, following the PRISMA protocol, in national and international databases (PubMed, Virtual Health Library, and Google Scholar). Original articles and literature reviews published in Portuguese and English, from 2015 to 2024 that addressed the topic of organ, tissue, or cell transplants related to PHC in Brazil were selected. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 13 studies with a final sample were presented. Results: The studies analyzed converged on three major themes: (1) psychological and social aspects of organ donation and transplantation, with an emphasis on emotional support and multidisciplinary work; (2) education and knowledge about organ donation, highlighting the importance of ongoing training for community agents, general practitioners, and primary care users; and (3) factors related to family refusal, highlighting the influence of cultural, emotional, and infrastructure barriers on the decision to donate. It was found that PHC can play a fundamental role in identifying potential donors, in pre- and post-transplant monitoring, and in raising awareness among families and patients. Conclusion: It is concluded that the effectiveness of transplants in Brazil is not limited to high complexity, but involves structured actions in primary health care, capable of reducing family refusal, promoting ongoing education, and expanding access to information. The consolidation of public policies and the strengthening of PHC, through awareness campaigns and multidisciplinary support, are essential to improve epidemiological indicators and the quality of care in the process of organ, tissue and cell donation and transplantation in Brazil.