University outreach in occupational therapy: scoping review in Brazilian literature

Abstract

Introduction:The university outreach allows the interrelation between the university and society and the democratization of academic knowledge. Objective: To analyze and characterize the national literature regarding the university outreach of Brazilian Occupational Therapy. Method: Scope review in the Brazilian Journal of Occupational Therapy, Revista de Terapia Ocupacional USP and Revista Baiana de Terapia Ocupacional. The keywords “university extension”, “extension activity”, “extensionist activity” and “extension” were used. Analysis of quantitative data using simple statistics of frequency and average and qualitative data by thematic categorization. Results:The sample consisted of 43 publications, with 25 original articles, 17 experience reports, and 1 Editorial published between 2003 and 2020. The publications addressed an activity, project, and/or university outreach program with different objectives, participants, locations, and actions implemented. Some studies, in addition to describing the university outreach activities, presented recurrent themes that led to the creation of four thematic categories “Inseparability between teaching and research”; “University’s relationship with the community”, “Teaching-learning process” and “Student training”. Conclusion: It was found that the University outreach carried out by professors of Occupational Therapy courses in Brazil were carried out in an integrated manner with teaching and research. This university outreach has favored the relationship between society and the university since the projects/activities have responded to social demands and favored the democratization of academic knowledge. Such projects/activities have had a positive impact on the teaching and learning process of undergraduate students in Occupational Therapy in Brazil because they provide critical and reflective training.