A importância das produções científicas para o fortalecimento político da profissão

Abstract

In general, researchers often choose their research themes based on criteria such as the scope of their research groups, the research lines of their graduate programs, funding public notices, etc. All these aspects are obviously legitimate, but as representatives of the supreme governing body of our professional practice, the Federal Council of Speech-Language Pathology (CFFa), we would like to invite the scientific community to reflect on other aspects that have direct interface and significant impact on the growth and strengthening of our profession. The system which comprises the Speech-Language Pathology Councils can be understood as an extension of the State. Therefore, it should primarily ensure the public interest, especially in aspects related to the exercise of this occupation in the country. To this end, it must consider the interests of the community. Observing their specificities and preserving their basic legislation, the Councils should foster the growth of the profession and adjust their legislation (especially the resolutions, recommendations and opinions) in order to keep up with the rapid changes and demands of the community, always ensuring the order and ethics in the professional practice, as well as the safety and security of society. This mission leads us, as the regulatory authority of professional practice, to discuss the training in Speech-Language Pathology, as well as monitor the results achieved in the professional practice and the scientific research and advancement in the area. In this sense, we have witnessed, in recent years, a significant advancement in the scientific production of the Brazilian Speech-Language Pathology, which has been demonstrated by an increasing number of articles published in specialized journals of this and other related fields. In spite of this quantitative growth, we need to reflect on the quality of our publications. To measure quality, several aspects that are beyond the scope of what we intend to address in this editorial can be considered, such as the level of evidence provided by the design of the studies or the impact factor of the publications, but one of them is of fundamental importance for political action: the ability to use scientific evidence to improve people's quality of life. Over the past administrative term of the CFFa (2013-2016), we have undertaken efforts and actions with the legislative and executive powers to create or reformulate public policies, always with the interest to propose actions that promote the well-being of society, collaborating with the constitutional role of the democratic state. Our main initiatives are directed to promote health and education, but we also participate in themes such as the organization of work, social security, etc. In conducting such actions, it is fundamental to count on the results and evidence of the scientific research in the area, because the whole political work, especially the proposition of public policies, should be guided and aligned with scientific advancement. It is the important role o...