Reflections about the education of occupational therapist for professional practice with elderly at different modalities of care: contributions of graduated from USP-SP

Abstract

Specialized human resource training in gerontology area is an important strategy for facing the present challenges of aging. OBJECTIVE: A study was conducted with graduates of the USP-SP Occupational Therapy course to identify the undergraduate contributions to the professional practice with elderly. METHOD: Through this descriptive and exploratory study, qualitative information was obtained with graduated occupational therapists at USP-SP, from 2004 to 2008. To collect data, participants completed questionnaires that were analyzed in their content. RESULTS: Nineteen occupational therapists took part in this study. They referred as challenges at their professional practice: lack of knowledge of Occupational Therapy by other professionals, the attempt to avoid the dissolution of occupational therapist´s speech into the gerontology´s one and overcome the resource scarcities for intervention. To face the challenges they search for additional training, contact with professionals from other areas and reflection of their own performance. As undergraduate contributions to their practice they mentioned the critical and reflexive trainning related to the aging process and its practical experiences. Some suggestions for its improvement include: better articulation between practice and theory, a closer contact with elderly and the increase in the dialogue with other disciplines. CONCLUSION: The results may adjust the teaching of Gerontology in USP-SP Occupational Therapy course, and promote reflections concerning this theme in other undergraduates as well.