Let's think about practice? The applicability of a reflective tool to support professional reasoning in occupational therapy

Abstract

Introduction: Reflection on practice, from the epistemology of practical rationality perspective, favors gaining awareness of tacit aspects of the practice, such as professional reasoning. Studies focusing the reflection on practice to support occupational therapists' reasoning have emerged. However, they are still incipient, especially in Brazil. Objective: To analyze the content and applicability of a reflective tool to support professional reasoning in the process of situated analysis of the needs of the assisted person in occupational therapy. Method: Action research, with the participation of 11 occupational therapists working in Primary Health Care, was developed following the steps: previous development of the tool; use of the tool by the participants and analysis of its content and structure; individual interviews after its use; descriptive and thematic analysis; tool suitability; validation workshops and construction of the final version of the tool. The data were produced through a participants characterization form, an agreement questionnaire to analyze the content and structure of the tool, and individual interviews about its applicability. Data were analyzed descriptively and thematically. The reflective tool was adjusted based on the participants' suggestions. Validation workshops were held with the participants to build the final version of the tool. Results: The suggested modifications in the tool included changes in terms, and also additions and integration of different domains. Its final version was structured on 20 questions, organized in seven domains. The applicability possibilities were: to give visibility to the specificities of occupational therapy in interprofessional teams; to enable reflection on practice and to improve professional reasoning; to use the tool in other contexts of practice; and for teaching of professional practice. Conclusion: The tool has practical applicability, contributing to strengthening the professional core in occupational therapy and for interprofessional dialogue, facilitating the reflection on practice, and increasing the awareness about professional reasoning processes.