Systematic review study on the use of the concept of daily life in the field of occupational therapy in Brazil

• Main Authors: Thelma Simões Matsukura, Mariana Moraes Salles
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidade Federal de São Carlos 2013-08-01
• Series: Cadernos de Terapia Ocupacional
• Subjects: Occupational Therapy; Daily Life; Literature Review as Topic
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.4322/cto.2013.028
• ISSN: 0104-4931; 2238-2860

Interest in the concept of daily life has increased in the field of occupational therapy, with studies referring to daily life as a tool that is both theoretic-conceptual and practical, providing support for both research and care. In this study, we aimed to identify and systematize the knowledge production about the daily life concept in occupational therapy in Brazil. A systematic review of the Brazilian literature of the past ten years on the concept of daily life in occupational therapy was used as our methodological approach. Twelve articles were selected to compose this research. The concept of daily life as considered in studies of occupational therapists, is established in the relationship between what is singular to the individual and what is collective and social. This concept defines a theoretical position in occupational therapy, departing from a medical and positivist interpretation of health care, giving attention to the subjectivity of individuals, their day-to-day activities and their social inclusion. The concept of daily life was also used in the reflection about how illnesses change people’s daily lives, to support the description and analysis of the daily lives of the studied subjects and to discuss the concept of daily life in occupational therapy practice. There is a wide range of possibilities for the use of the concept of daily life in the research and practice of occupational therapy. The present study shows that this concept adds to the basis of contemporary occupational therapy knowledge produced in Brazil.