Manual of practices and protocols for residents in oral and maxillofacial surgery and traumatology
Dental education; oral and maxillofacial surgery and traumatology
In-service training within the residency program on Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Traumatology (OMFST) in emergency care settings requires the integration of clinical practice, institutional protocols, and continuing health education strategies. The present study aimed to develop a manual of practices and protocols for OMFST residents at the Hospital Monsenhor Walfredo Gurgel (HMWG), aiming to enhance knowledge, skills, and competencies in a high-complexity care environment. This research adopts a case study design with a descriptive and analytical approach, employing document analysis as the data collection strategy and Bardin's content analysis for data analysis. The study setting comprised residents affiliated with the OMFST Residency Program of the Department of Dentistry at the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), with HMWG serving as the primary site for in-service clinical training, thereby illustrating the integration between education and healthcare service delivery. The findings indicate that the organization of care is supported by institutional regulations and regulatory workflows; however, notable limitations persist regarding the systematization, accessibility, and dissemination of protocols among healthcare teams. Additionally, challenges were identified in the standardization of clinical practices and in the effective integration between academic training and service provision, particularly in the context of residents’ clinical performance. It is concluded that the development of an institutional manual of practices and protocols constitutes a key strategy for improving in-service training, standardizing work processes, strengthening patient safety, and enhancing the professional performance of OMFST residents.