The Scih Beyond the Hospital: Outreach Actions to Combat Congenital Syphilis – A Report of a Successful Strategy

Continuing medical education is an essential strategy to qualify care and strengthen health care networks. In referral hospitals, training actions extend beyond institutional boundaries, reaching professionals from multiple municipalities. Syphilis, still considered a public health problem in Brazil, requires a multiprofessional approach, early diagnosis, and adequate treatment ‒ especially in pregnant women ‒ to prevent vertical transmission and its complications. To demonstrate the benefits of promoting extra-muros educational actions, highlighting the annual Syphilis Symposium as a training tool with direct impact on reducing syphilis cases in the region. Starting in 2021, a continuous medical education program was structured. Key actions included the Annual Syphilis Symposium, held in person and/or in hybrid format, with active participation from health teams across different municipalities in the region. Topics addressed included diagnosis, notification workflows, treatment in pregnancy, and congenital syphilis prevention strategies, always delivered by area coordinators (Infectious Diseases, Obstetrics, and Neonatal ICU). In addition, internal trainings and practical workshops were offered to primary care and hospital teams, with support from municipal surveillance services. Between 2021 and 2024, more than 800 health professionals were trained directly or indirectly through the symposium. There was a significant increase in partner treatment adherence, syphilis screening in pregnant women, and resolution capacity for referred cases. Regional epidemiological surveillance data indicate a progressive reduction in congenital syphilis cases in participating municipalities, with improved notification quality and stronger integration among services. In 2021 there were 120 confirmed congenital syphilis cases; in 2024 only 18 ‒ an important reduction. Region-focused education strengthens coordination among health services, improves care quality, and contributes to controlling public health conditions. The Annual Symposium consolidated as a highly effective and replicable strategy, with consistent results in case reduction and improvement of care workflows. Investing in continuous, territory-based training is essential to address persistent public health challenges.