The context challenges for integrative and complementary health practices professionals: a cartographic study in the years 2019 and 2020

Abstract

Integrative and Complementary Practices occupy an increasingly notable place in the daily lives of health workers in the post-crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. This study aims to identify and understand the main issues that compose the context of the professionals' work routine linked to a non-marketing proposal of these practices in society. Cartography, as a method practice, was used to map the different movements of the work reality, including conducting nine online interviews with therapists from different backgrounds and practices in the research field. Lasting more than two years, the study began before the pandemic and extended to the period of lockdown and “distancing” experienced. In the cartographic analysis, themes that pervade the scenario of integrative practices in their various contexts were perceived. The notion of the integral human being and the importance of humanized care are characteristics shared by the professionals in these practices. In conjunction with the identified cartographic nodes, which deal with scientificity and prejudice, spirituality, religion and energy, and professionals training and political issues, these are relevant topics for understanding Integrative and Complementary Practices in Brazil, their expansion and strengthening in the territories and in the SUS, as an example for the world.