The perspective of physical education professionals after their insertion in public health: An experience report

Abstract

This report is from a physical education professional who, despite training predominantly focused on educational practice, gained a greater understanding of healthcare practices within the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) during his doctoral studies in public health. The objective was to share his academic trajectory and a new perspective on the role of physical education professionals in the SUS. The report was reflective and qualitative in nature. Observations were collected throughout his training and memory records were collected between 2010 and 2025. During professional training, a lack of coordination between educational and health curricular guidelines was observed. In the physical education training curriculum, the total workload was limited, and topics on public health and the SUS were superficial. Furthermore, there was a lack of encouragement for multidisciplinary practical experiences in undergraduate programs and a reduced presence of health professionals. The conclusion is that, although physical education has made progress in political, educational, and operational aspects, insufficient training persists, with little practical experience within the SUS. The postgraduate experience, however, enabled the author to overcome these gaps, expanding his critical outlook and capacity for multidisciplinary dialogue.