Prevenção quaternária e práticas integrativas e complementares (II): aproximação contextual

Introduction: Quaternary prevention (P4) may involve the use of integrative, complementary and alternative medicine (IC (2) Understanding IC (3) Contextual security derived from the longitudinality of care in PHC; (4) Patients’ clinical severity spectrum in PHC and effectiveness; and (5) The limitations inherent to EBM associated with health professionals’ knowledge on I&CAM and other medical rationalities can enrich and contribute to P4 practice. For this, I&CAM - especially in vitalistic medical rationalities - should be contextualised and aligned with patients’ values and preferences. Conclusion: A range of I&CAM and scientific evidence compose several sources of knowledge in PHC that can contribute to P4 in clinical decision-making. The I&CAM as P4 strategy is possible, justified, and should be stimulated in view of the complexity of care in the context of PHC, especially in spectrum of low to medium clinical severity.