Reflections on the importance of archivist in health institutions

the challenges facing the pandemic

Abstract

Health institutions produce a large number of archival documents in a variety of media. These documents are important for the institutions themselves, for patients and for science. Taking the pandemic into account, there are many challenges to be faced. The documents produced are often poorly managed and stored, so these spaces provide various perspectives for performance for archival professionals. In view of all the specificities and complexities, these environments need to be recognized and explored. In this sense, this article aims to present some reflections on the importance of the work of the archivist in health institutions based on the experience of working in a psychiatric hospital focusing on some challenges for professionals caused by Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19). As a methodology, bibliographic research and experience reports are used, in addition, the article is descriptive and qualitative in nature. As a result, it was noticed that there are several problems in health institutions, for example, organizational culture, lack of professionals who travel through the areas, knowledge of the functions and processes performed, in the production of documents, etc. As considerations, it is inferred that archivists can and should work in health institutions and have skills that contribute to all sectors of the institution. Thus, it is clear that the biggest challenge is to go beyond what the institution often expects from this professional. As for the pandemic, the important thing is to realize that all activities influence the care provided to the patient, as well as science, contributing considerably to future research.