The interface of occupational therapists practices with regards primary health care attributes

Abstract

Introduction: The specific dialogue of occupational therapy with Primary Health Care (APS) has weaknesses, which requires in-depth understanding. Objective: To identify and analyze the practices of occupational therapists in APS and its interface with the essential and derived attributes of this level of care. Method: Research of mixed methods (explanatory sequential) through three phases: Phase 1 - a collection of quantitative and qualitative data by an Internet Surveys with 105 occupational therapists from APS; Phase 2 - qualitative approach starting the Grounded Theory, through interviews and observations of the practice with 8 professionals from the first phase; Phase 3 - Discussion and analyzing of results. Results: Phase 1 - 93.3% of the participants were women, mostly from state capitals and metropolitan regions, and from the Extended Family Health and Primary Care Center (NASF-AB). Regarding the orientation of their practices by APS attributes, the following results were identified: first contact attention (92.3%), longitudinality (84.7%), completeness (95.2%), care coordination (83.8%), family orientation (90.4%), community orientation (76.1%) and cultural competence (60.9%). Phase 2 - Eight NASF-AB occupational therapists from southeastern and northeastern capitals and metropolitan regions reported the work process in APS and their analysis indicated the following categories: practice characteristics and rationale, occupational therapy in clinical and pedagogical support, and challenges of practice. Conclusion: It was possible to verify that the occupational therapists’ practices interface with the APS attributes, which indicates their relevance and insertion in this level of care.