Experiences of occupational therapists in the management of socio-sanitary and community care in primary health care

Abstract

 Introduction: The need for care falls on families with limited state assistance and reflects deep gender inequality. Objectives: To analyze the experiences of occupational therapists (OT) in the provision of social health care and community care for dependency in primary health care in a town in Santiago de Chile. Methodological Procedures: This is a qualitative case study (exploratory and descriptive) based on a discussion group among professionals. Results: Six occupational therapists from local health services participated. The analysis of the discussion groups identified the following thematic categories: Interdisciplinary and inter-sectoral work in health: challenges of continuity of care and support in Primary Health Care; Health Promotion: potentials in horizontality and dialogical relationships in care; Care, gender, and human rights: comprehensiveness in access and exercise of rights; Strengthening and community care: territorial historicity and social participation; Mental Health and Caregivers: creation of collective spaces. Conclusions: Community participation is established as a space for strengthening support networks with a promotional and preventive role. Spaces such as health programs and social organizations are central to building community care networks.