Could the Injunction Suspending Authorization of New Undergraduate Health Programs in Distance Learning (EAD) Also Affect Postgraduate Programs in the Same Format?

Recently, at the request of the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office, the 4th Federal Court in Goiás granted an injunction ordering the Federal Government to suspend new Ministry of Education processes for the authorization, recognition, or renewal of undergraduate health programs in the EAD (distance learning) format. Because the decision is directed at the MEC (Brazil's Ministry of Education), the suspension applies to new programs in this format throughout Brazil.

This raises the question of whether the Federal Court's decision in Goiás, which suspended authorization of new undergraduate health programs in the EAD format, may also have implications for postgraduate programs in this field.

This is because the training of health professionals is a continuous process that begins in undergraduate study and extends into postgraduate study. Postgraduate education, in turn, is essential for keeping professionals up to date and qualified, as well as for developing new research and technologies.

How the Measure May Affect Postgraduate Health Programs in the EAD Format

Although the injunction refers only to undergraduate programs, it can be read as a sign that the Judiciary does not favor offering health programs in the EAD format. This could lead to pressure from Brazilian professional councils for the Ministry of Education to also ban EAD postgraduate programs in health.

There are, in fact, strong arguments that justify banning EAD postgraduate programs in health. One of the main arguments is that training health professionals requires acquiring practical skills, which are difficult to develop in the EAD format.

Another argument is that a postgraduate program in health is a professional training process that involves interaction between faculty and students, which is easier in the in-person format.

Even though the Federal Court's injunction is not a legal impediment to offering EAD postgraduate programs in health, it may create an unfavorable environment for the format. This could lead to a drop in demand for EAD courses, which could affect the availability of courses and the quality of professional training.

It is important to note that the Federal Court's decision can still be challenged by the MEC. However, the fact that the injunction was granted is a sign that the question of offering higher education in the EAD format in health is being widely debated and that there is a strong movement against the format.

Educational Institutions More Concerned with Profit Than Quality Education Will Be the Most Affected

Banning the offering of undergraduate programs in the EAD format could negatively affect private higher education institutions that are more concerned with profit than with providing quality education, since this teaching format is an important source of revenue, far more profitable than the in-person format, which requires much greater investment in infrastructure, teacher training, and research.

The other side of the issue is even more complex, since it leads us to consider the risks faced by patients treated by health professionals who were trained in undergraduate programs in the EAD format.

The training of these professionals is a complex process that requires developing specific knowledge and skills. Distance learning, in turn, does not allow for developing the necessary practical skills or direct contact with the patient.

Another argument against EAD for training health professionals is that it does not allow effective interaction between students and professors. Such interaction is essential for learning, since it allows for the exchange of experiences, the discussion of concepts, and the resolution of questions.

The risks to patients treated by health professionals who were trained in undergraduate programs in the EAD format include incorrect diagnoses, inadequate treatments, and various harms to patients' health.

A Historic Demand of the Professional Councils

Banning the offering of EAD undergraduate programs in health is a historic demand of the professional councils, which are responsible for overseeing professional practice as well as defending professionals' interests.

They argue that the EAD format is not suitable for training health professionals, since it requires hands-on activities and supervised internships that are incompatible with distance learning.

The councils also fear that offering EAD courses in health could reduce the quality of professional training, compromising patient safety.

It is important to note that professional councils have no authority to validate and/or refuse diplomas or certificates related to academic training. That authority belongs to the Ministry of Education and to Higher Education Institutions. What is expected of the councils is that they be more active, within their remit, with regard to graduated professionals already in the job market, so as to ensure patient safety.

An Issue Under Debate in Different Sectors

Obviously, the main cause of this scenario has been unfolding in recent years: the Brazilian higher education system has been marked by a process of commercialization that has led to a series of problems, such as declining education quality, social exclusion, and income concentration. Added to this is the loosening of rules by the Ministry of Education for opening new higher education institutions and undergraduate programs.

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