Occupational therapy and pediatric oncology: characterization of professionals from reference health centers in the State of São Paulo

Abstract

Occupational therapists help patients and their families to confront and understand the body and psychic process that children may go through when they receive the diagnosis of cancer. In daily life, it aims to improve the quality of the life of children through rehabilitation, prevention of sequelae, maintenance of activities inherent to the age group, in addition to providing the (re)discovery of abilities and skills. This study aimed to characterize the occupational therapists who work with pediatric oncology in the state of São Paulo in Brazil. This is a cross-sectional descriptive research with quantitative-qualitative approach. The sample consisted of 11 professionals who work at oncology institutions. Data collection occurred via Internet, through a semi-structured questionnaire with closed and open questions about the professional’s training and practice. The professionals who took part in the research were all female, with prevalent age range from 25 to 35, and graduation conclusion with the highest prevalence was between 1980 and 2008. The predominant occupational therapy approach of these professionals was based on Dynamic Occupational Therapy. The interventions of the professionals preconize multi-professional work, use toy libraries as places of intervention and work with a number of different materials in different types of activities. The number of occupational therapists has been reduced, although there are 101 institutions offering oncological treatment. The type of action described by the occupational therapists responds to precepts of the health policy in integral and expanded care.