Training in human rabies prophylaxis for nursing professionals: an experience report

Abstract

Introduction: Human rabies is a highly serious infectious disease, with a near 100% fatality rate. Despite being a vaccine-preventable disease, we observe that professionals constantly have doubts when making decisions regarding rabies treatment. Objective: To describe a training activity on prophylaxis against human rabies. Method: This is an experience report. A training course was developed with discussions and realistic simulations that included different types of accidents potentially associated with human rabies in the absence of adequate prophylaxis. Participants were required to complete the theoretical part of the course, offered in a distance learning format. During the course, participants were divided into 6 groups; each group received support material and a clinical case, which they had to discuss and act out. After each simulation, a collective discussion was held, with completion of the anti-rabies care notification form and a joint decision on the most appropriate course of action. Results: 92 nursing professionals participated in the activity. During the activity, the groups presented their approaches to the proposed cases. The collective discussion allowed for a critical analysis of the practices adopted, favoring the identification of behaviors aligned with technical guidelines and reflection on the steps necessary for adequate care. Conclusion: The training provided moments of reflection, updating, and improvement of professional practices through the analysis and discussion of clinical cases related to human anti-rabies care, promoting the consolidation of knowledge and the strengthening of evidence-based practices.