Occupational therapy interventions with elderly people at the end-of-life processes in public hospitals

Abstract

Introduction: The intervention of occupational therapy with elderly people in endof-life processes in hospital contexts presents short scientific documentation in Chile. Given the increase in the elderly population, their high prevalence of chronic diseases, and the hospital mortality rates, the need to review the interventions carried out in the end-of-life processes of the elderly are identified. Objective: To characterize occupational therapy interventions with elderly people who are in their end-of-life process, from the perception of occupational therapists dedicated to the area, in public hospital contexts in Chile. Method: The research is of a qualitative type framed within the constructivist paradigm under the phenomenological approach, using the semi-structured interview as an information collection technique and subsequent content analysis. The study sample is made up of occupational therapists who work in public hospitals in the country. Results: Occupational therapists are identified as agents that provide humanizing care and support during interventions in end-of-life processes, and families mainly as a facilitator of the same. In these processes, an integral vision of the person is revealed. Conclusions: There is consensus on the occupational therapy approach and interventions identified by the participants, and it is similar to what is described in the international literature. There is a lack of local public policy guidelines that allow a better definition of the professional role in this context.