Advancements and limitations of social networking as communication strategy in SUS

experience report in Family Health Units

Abstract

Social networks can perform an important role in Unified Health System (SUS) regarding access and dissemination of information. This study aims to report the experiences developed by interns and professors of UFRN’s Dentistry course, and by preceptors of USF Panatis and USF Parque das Dunas, at Natal/RN. The activities were planned in a discipline previous to the internship, and the same actors participated in them. Considering the COVID-19 pandemic context, the activities were adapted into virtual format. From Instagram, WhatsApp, and Google Meet, it was possible to disseminate information on the functioning and actions developed at the USF, to create informative posts on oral health, to involve pregnant people in educational actions, to promote closeness with the community, to give automated responses to the most frequent questions, among other activities. Social networks are a powerful tool in communication and dissemination on health care, allowing links to be established as yet another way of accessing information and keeping a permanent dialogue with the population, indicating possible advancements in social control. The prior knowledge that interns and preceptors had on social networking enabled the development of actions which are not part of the traditional context of dental training, so it benefited everyone’s learning and allowed advancements in the relationship between the USF and the community. It is crucial for the government to enable the necessary infrastructure and logistics for the inclusion of social networking in the work process of Primary Care teams, incorporating it as element of its policy on health communication.