BVS Homeopatía Brasil: una revisión histórica sobre su papel en la visibilidad y acceso al conocimiento homeopático.

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Bibliographic Details
Title:	BVS Homeopatía Brasil: una revisión histórica sobre su papel en la visibilidad y acceso al conocimiento homeopático.
Alternate Title:	BVS Homeopatia Brasil: A historical review of its role in the visibility and access to homeopathic knowledge.
Authors:	Ragacini, Leonardo Adriano¹, Chávez-Martínez, Omar² omar.chavezm@imss.gob.mx
Source:	Revista Medica del IMSS. may/jun2026, Vol. 64 Issue 3, p1-7. 7p.
Subjects:	HOMEOPATHY, DIGITAL libraries, HEALTH Organisation, INFORMATION sharing, PUBMED (Online service), ARTIFICIAL intelligence, HEALTH information services
Geographic Terms:	LATIN America
Abstract (English):	The Virtual Health Library on Homeopathy (BVS Homeopatia Brasil) represents a pioneering initiative in the organization, digitization, and dissemination of homeopathic knowledge in Latin America. This article presents a narrative review of its trajectory, from the informational invisibility of homeopathy during the 1970s and 1980s to its consolidation as the main specialized digital repository in the field. Key milestones are analyzed: the creation of the HOMEOINDEX database, the development of the HP category in the DeCS thesaurus, the leadership of Dr. Matheus Marim in the digital transition, and the institutionalization of the BVS through agreements with BIREME, Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), World Health Organization (WHO), and the Brazilian Ministry of Health. The article also describes its current features, recent technological updates, and the incorporation of artificial intelligence as an emerging challenge. The review identifies BVS Homeopatia as a successful model for democratizing access to scientific knowledge, sustained by interinstitutional cooperation and active community engagement. It concludes that its sustainability will depend on continued use by professionals and the general public, as well as on its capacity to adapt to the technological and epistemological transformations of the 21st century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Abstract (Spanish):	La Biblioteca Virtual en Salud (BVS) Homeopatía Brasil representa una experiencia pionera en la organización, digitalización y difusión del conocimiento homeopático en América Latina. Este artículo ofrece una revisión narrativa sobre su trayectoria, desde la invisibilidad informacional de la homeopatía en las décadas de 1970 y 1980 hasta su consolidación como el principal repositorio digital especializado en el área. Se analizan los hitos fundamentales: la creación de la base HOMEOINDEX, el desarrollo de la categoría HP del DeCS, el liderazgo del Dr. Matheus Marim en la transición al entorno digital, y la institucionalización de la BVS mediante convenios con BIREME, la Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OPS), la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) y el Ministerio de Salud de Brasil. Asimismo, se describen sus principales funcionalidades, el proceso reciente de actualización tecnológica y la incorporación de inteligencia artificial como reto emergente. La revisión identifica a la BVS Homeopatía como un modelo exitoso de democratización del acceso al conocimiento, sostenido por una red de cooperación interinstitucional y la participación de la comunidad. Se concluye que su sostenibilidad dependerá del uso continuo por parte de profesionales y del público general, así como de su capacidad para adaptarse a las transformaciones tecnológicas y epistemológicas del siglo XXI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database:	MedicLatina

Description
Abstract:	The Virtual Health Library on Homeopathy (BVS Homeopatia Brasil) represents a pioneering initiative in the organization, digitization, and dissemination of homeopathic knowledge in Latin America. This article presents a narrative review of its trajectory, from the informational invisibility of homeopathy during the 1970s and 1980s to its consolidation as the main specialized digital repository in the field. Key milestones are analyzed: the creation of the HOMEOINDEX database, the development of the HP category in the DeCS thesaurus, the leadership of Dr. Matheus Marim in the digital transition, and the institutionalization of the BVS through agreements with BIREME, Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), World Health Organization (WHO), and the Brazilian Ministry of Health. The article also describes its current features, recent technological updates, and the incorporation of artificial intelligence as an emerging challenge. The review identifies BVS Homeopatia as a successful model for democratizing access to scientific knowledge, sustained by interinstitutional cooperation and active community engagement. It concludes that its sustainability will depend on continued use by professionals and the general public, as well as on its capacity to adapt to the technological and epistemological transformations of the 21st century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:	04435117
DOI:	10.5281/zenodo.18715519