Social occupational therapy and technical action with the homeless population: recognizing social technologies

Abstract

Social occupational therapy constitutes itself as a field of practice and a theoreticalmethodological framework for Brazilian occupational therapy. After years of experience, the area has developed and named different social technologies for working with vulnerable populations. In this sense, the question was posed: which social technologies are used by social occupational therapy to work with the homeless population? The research aimed to identify and name social technologies used in the technical action of social occupational therapy for working with the homeless population. The research was carried out in three phases: 1) bibliographic survey and interviews with the most recurrent authors in the productions; 2) reading and analysis of field diaries developed by the university extension team that works with the homeless population; 3) collective conversations with the extension team. The analysis resulted in two categories: What is found in the references on social occupational therapy and the homeless population? and Analysis in the light of dialogue and practical daily life: dimensions of the work of social occupational therapy. The study systematized the contribution of theoretical frameworks and the critical professional posture as elements that precede technical action; listed strategies and dimensions of social occupational-therapeutic practice that assist in the development of social technologies; and, finally, identified social technologies used with homeless people. It was concluded that the theme of social technologies is of great relevance to social occupational therapy and that there are demands for new studies on technical action with vulnerable populations.