Descriptive-exploratory study about occupational therapist professional practice in the regular education system that supports scholar integration processes in the Fifth and Metropolitan Regions, throughout 2005

Abstract

Goals: To determjne demographic characteristics, professional training and professional practice characteristics of Occupational Therapists that support scholar integration processes to the Regular Education System in the Fifth and Metropolitan Regions, throughout 2005.

Methodology: Non-experimental, cross sectional and descriptive study, non-probabilistic sample, composed by 41 Occupational Therapists.  The "Questionaire for Occupational Therapists in Regular Education" was developed, which was applied during December 12, 2005, and January 6, 2006. Analysis and data processing were carried out according to descriptive statistics; sample is subdivided in Occupational Therapists who work in Scholar Integration Projects (SIP) and complementary strategies (without SIP).

Results and conclusions: There are Occupational Therapists supporting educational integration processes, with differences in the professional practice between both strategies.  They work in the Fifth and Metropolitan regions, graduated from Universidad de Chile and  Universidad de Playa Ancha de Ciencias de la Educación, they perform further training in different areas, most of them do not make publications.  Differences in laboral condition and in the intervening population are present; similarities in the educational level of the students and in the theorical frameworks used. Both groups evaluate different field of the occupational performance, especially non-standardized instruments; they include activities in the physical and social context of scholar performance, individual and group work modality, and other functions; they work mainly in multiprofessional teams. Occupational Therapists of both strategies support the integration and make inclusive actions.