Occupational therapy and education: a documentary study on academic training

Abstract

Introduction The National Curriculum Guidelines for undergraduate courses in occupational therapy point to training aimed at working in different fields, which includes the field of education. Objective To identify how occupational therapists are trained to work in the school context, based on the analysis of documents from undergraduate courses in Brazilian occupational therapy. Method This is a documental study carried out through the analysis of the Political-Pedagogical Project, Curricular Grid and Syllabuses of disciplines of graduation courses in Brazilian occupational therapy. Data were organized in Excel spreadsheets and descriptively analyzed using a qualitative approach. Results Of the total of 61 undergraduate courses in occupational therapy in Brazil, documents referring to 33 of them were consulted; of these, only half (n=16) present specific curricular components aimed at the area of education, and most of them (n=14) offer such content on a mandatory basis. Regarding the courses that offer specific disciplines on education, it is possible to recognize the importance of approaching these contents in the training of occupational therapists, since, for the most part, they are mandatory disciplines. It emphasizes the importance of investments in the area, considering the guidelines of the National Curriculum Guidelines and the recommendations indicated in specific Resolutions of the area. Conclusion It is believed that the present study contributes to the advancement of reflections on the training of occupational therapists to work in the school context and encourages further studies on the subject.