Reflections on the importance of the informal curriculum of the medical student <br><b>[Abstract in English]</b>

Abstract

AIMS: This paper examines aspects of staff training opportunities for medical students and their contribution for health services. SOURCE OF DATA: Medline, LILACS and SciELO databases. SUMMARY OF FINDINGS: This is a review of the literature by subject. Health in Brazil has been discussed and analyzed in several publications. However, the participation of students in the health field, especially medicine, is not considered one of the elements that may impact it. Several academic activities may be relevant to health, and student participation can be considered. In Brazil, there was an increase in medical schools since 1832, and consequently an augmented number of students. Also there is a quest for higher quality in academic education, with specific guidelines for changes in the curricula of schools, instituted by National Council of Education and Board of Higher Education. The extracurricular activities that constitute the informal curriculum, are provided in this regulation, in which courses should provide opportunities for the search to occur spontaneously, in order to complement the academic education. Activities such as: undergraduate research, joint training, academic mobility, peer tutoring, academic leagues, among others, are a part of the informal curriculum that students build spontaneously. CONCLUSIONS: By improving the informal curriculum, the students of medicine add skills and practices that work together to improve patient care, contributing to the achievement of health targets in the country.