Back to the program

The tutor as an agent of transformation and improvement in Family and Community Medicine distance learning: a teaching experience report

Fernanda PIRES DILLY and Felipe ALVES DOS SANTOS

In the current Brazilian public health scenario, medical qualification is one of the pillars for strengthening the Unified Health System (SUS). In this landscape, the lato sensu public specialization program in Family and Community Medicine (FCM) stands out as a large-scale initiative covering the vast and heterogeneous national territory. The complexity of this proposal requires a pedagogical structure that combines academic robustness with the flexibility necessary to adapt to regional singularities and the local demands of Primary Health Care (PHC).Structured as an online distance learning program, the methodology relies on the medical tutor to bridge theoretical knowledge and professional practice. Continuous monitoring ensures that participants develop essential FCM competencies integrated into their specific healthcare contexts.The report's originality lies in redefining the tutor as an active agent of transformation rather than mere technical support. This shift uses technology to ensure pedagogical capillarity, extending high-quality specialization to remote areas and democratizing medical knowledge through empathetic, human mediation.Experience shows that online tutoring enhances accessibility and knowledge exchange across diverse Brazilian realities, enriching clinical practice. However, student isolation and low engagement remain persistent challenges, often worsened by technological barriers. This underscores the need for a tutorial presence that is not only instructive but also motivating and welcoming.Reflecting on teaching practice reveals that tutoring in FCM requires a professional in a constant state of "construction." The discussion involves the need to overcome the traditional teaching paradigm and adopt a dialogic posture, where the tutor uses digital tools to mitigate physical distance and create bonds of pedagogical trust. The quality of primary care is directly linked to this tutor's ability to transform technology into a tool for humanization and technical qualification.In conclusion, the medical tutor is indispensable to the success of large-scale programs. Future efforts must prioritize continuous professional development for tutors, focusing on engagement strategies and new educational technologies. The goal remains to maximize digital resources to ensure medical training translates into higher quality health care for the Brazilian population.