Occupational Therapists in the Supplemental Health care in the municipality of Jundiai, State of São Paulo

• Main Authors: Mirela de Souza Ruyz, Bruno Souza Bechara Maxta
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidade Federal de São Carlos 2012-12-01
• Series: Cadernos de Terapia Ocupacional
• Subjects: Unified Health System; Supplemental Health; Occupational Therapy; Professional Practice.
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.4322/cto.2012.043

Introduction: Supplemental Health has become an emergent field of Occupational Therapy practice.Objectives: This study aims to identify the current forms of participation and proposals of the occupationaltherapists involved in the Supplemental Health care in the municipality of Jundiai, State of Sao Paulo.Method: A qualitative research on occupational therapy practice was carried out. Results: The participationof occupational therapists in the Supplemental Health care occurs in private clinics that render service to thehealth medical organizations - HMOs. The occupational therapists’ activities are concentrated in the childrenand adult outpatient clinics and in the domiciliary and school spaces. Its approach values personal needs andmulti-professional actions. Conclusions: Despite the actual movement of the National Agency of SupplementalHealth in regulating the sector, occupational therapists face the following professional challenges: becomingcontractors of the HMOs, presenting their professional practices and approaches to the Supplementary Healthguidelines of the Unified Health System.