Integrating Medical Education and the School Health Program: A Curricular Extension Promoting the Culture of Peace
Hugo RODRIGUES, Michele PEDROZO, Márcio DE MELO and Naila DE OLIVEIRA
The curricular extension was developed within the framework of the Primary Health Care – Child Health (APS V) module practices, carried out in the 2nd semester of 2025. The established themes were: belonging, bullying, cyberbullying, empathy, and non-violent communication.Interventions took place at E.E. "Lions Clube" on Wednesdays, with 5th-semester medical students pre-planning activities aligned with the thematic axes of the Culture of Peace.The project engaged approximately 270 students from 1st to 5th grade of Elementary School II, utilizing extra-classroom spaces to facilitate reflection, dialogue, and problematization of the addressed themes. This approach provided a unique opportunity for medical students to directly interact with the sociocultural context of schoolchildren, a key component of the School Health Program.Medical students gained valuable insights into the influence of social determinants on children's development and academic performance, reinforcing the importance of the comprehensive approach of Primary Health Care. This experience enhanced their understanding of the broader context of child health beyond clinical settings.The project successfully integrated medical education with the principles of the School Health Program, promoting the Culture of Peace among schoolchildren. It demonstrated the potential of curricular extension activities to enrich both medical students' learning experiences and contribute to the well-being of local communities. The use of interactive and reflective methodologies proved effective in addressing sensitive topics with young students, aligning with the goals of the School Health Program to foster healthy behaviors and a positive school environment. The direct exposure to the sociocultural context of schoolchildren allowed medical students to better comprehend the impact of social determinants on child development and academic performance, reinforcing the importance of the comprehensive approach of Primary Health Care.This project bridged medical education and the School Health Program, linked to Primary Care. Engaging students in the Culture of Peace enhanced their child health understanding and positively impacted the community. The success suggests expanding similar programs with more health themes. It underscores early community engagement and interdisciplinary approaches for social and health issues within Primary Care and the School Health Program.
