Teaching ethics to the health professional at USP: the ethical education of the occupational therapist

Abstract

The present article proposes a reflection on the content of the classes of professional ethics presently taught in the Occupational Therapy Course at USP based on the curricular modifactions made in 2001 and the specific content of the programs for the health courses at USP. Initially the authors evaluate the "Ethical", "Bioethical" and "Professional Ethics" thematic grounds presently considered relevant in the ethical formation in health fields. Afterwards they present a survey conducted in "Jupiterweb" System, between March and April 2005, of classes offered in Courses of the heath fields. Based on the analysis of the content of the classes, they identify and reaffirm the relevancy of the thematic grounds presented besides "other themes", involving Law, Administration and Sanitary Legislation. Courses like Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy contemplate the three major thematic grounds. The increase of the theoretical referential is justified by the multiple needs of the population these professionals take care of, by the complexity of the health concept being adopted and by the involvement of the rehabilitation professionals in border line situations that have become part of their daily routine. The authors emphasize that professional health performance requires a careful combination of technical knowledge and respect for human values, threatened by social differences and access to services such as health and education. The organization of the professional ethics class for the Occupation Therapy course, in these three thematic grounds, has provided the students with the possibility of reflecting on their own ethical commitment in preceding and present experiences as well as future professional actions.