Occupational therapy in rehabilitation in primary health care: challenges and opportunities

Abstract

The goal of this paper is to contribute with ideas that may help to strengthen the actions Occupational Therapy (OT) has been able to develop in Primary Health Care (PHC) in the field of rehabilitation of people with disabilities. This proposition is based on both literature review and on the practical experience of REATA- Laboratory for Studies in Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology in the period from 1999 to 2010. We took into consideration the existing care models, Selective and Broad PHC, and the nature of these practices within the historical and practical-organizational context. Next, we describe the experiences developed by REATA in the PHC, which motivated the presentation of these ideas as an OT work proposition. We advocate the need for a shift from the occupational therapeutic interventions instituted under standardized, biomedical framework, or built within the public health hygienist design; towards the establishment of actions/strategies that address holistic aspects of the subjects and the territory, and with light technology adequate for the demands, as foreseen by the Broad PHC. Finally, we present possible OT contributions regarding their technological potential based on the premise that actions from this profession can contribute in promoting access and long-term health care and thus assist in the completeness and equity within the Basic Health System (SUS).