Interprofessionality and occupational therapy: perception of the Professional Improvement Program’s interns in a rehabilitation service

Abstract

The “Prof. Gabriel O. S. Porto” Center for Studies and Research in Rehabilitation (CEPRE) participated in the Professional Improvement Program (PAP) for nonmedical health professionals from 1994 to 2019. This study aimed to understand and assess the occurrence of interprofessionality and the role of occupational therapy among the PAP participants working at CEPRE. This descriptive, qualitative research involved 18 interns from the areas of speech therapy, education, psychology, social service, and occupational therapy who joined PAP at CEPRE in 2018. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews that included both closed and open questions addressing experiences and insights during PAP. These interviews were audio recorded and later transcribed. The data were assessed by content analysis. The results showed that professional improvement positively influenced knowledge about other areas, especially occupational therapy, which was facilitated through interdisciplinary classes. The content analysis revealed that shared moments were important for the occurrence of patient-centered interprofessional practice with a focus on comprehensiveness, and that this space further strengthened the overall work.