The education of occupational therapist in gerontology: contributions of teachers from undergraduate courses in occupational therapy in Brazil

Abstract

The human resource training in gerontology contributes to face the challenges of aging. In order to improve the education process of Occupational Therapy USP-SP undergraduate course in the Gerontology area, a research was developed with teachers from several Occupational Therapy undergraduate courses in Brazil. METHOD: The qualitative, exploratory and descriptive study was conducted in 2009 and 2010. Data were collected through a questionnaire and analyzed in their content. Eleven teachers, which eight of them teaches in public universities and three in private ones, participated in the study. RESULTS: Teachers believe that the disciplines provide greater understanding of the human aging process and increase the possibilities of working with elderly. Some of the teachers concerned articulation of theory and practice as a teaching learning strategy. Changes in teaching methodology, with emphasis on active methodologies, were cited by nine teachers. Some teachers identify a reduced hour load for the area in their courses. All faculties carry out extension project and 6 of them research activities in their courses. CONCLUSION: Data reaffirmed some of the strategies adopted by the gerontology area in Occupational Therapy undergraduate course at USP-SP: hour load devoted for training, specific disciplines and theory and practice articulation. It was possible to reflect on increasing the use of active methodologies as a teaching learning strategy to improve the gerontology training in Occupational Therapy USP- SP undergraduate course.