The Importance of the Occupational Therapist in the Primary Health Care Team of the Basic Health Unit

Abstract

This study was developed through a research of the explanatory type of bibliographic study, selective, analytical, exploratory and of a basic nature. Its objective is to analyze the importance of the participation of the Occupational Therapist (OT) in the multi-professional teams of Primary Health Care (PHC) of the Basic Health Units (UBS) of the municipalities. A thorough reading of the articles by different authors allowed organizing, ordering and schematizing significant information for the achievement of the objective and provided an understanding of the context of the themes presented in the study. The final considerations of the study show the possibilities of contribution, the different areas of action and forms of intervention of Occupational Therapy in Primary Health Care; confirms its fundamental role in the equity, integrality and universality of health care; highlights the challenges and difficulties in making the profession known and understood. It also helps in the emergence of new research and mobilizing actions with the Health Departments of the municipalities to include the Occupational Therapist in the staff.