Identification of service demand and Occupational Therapy service implementation in a university hospital

Introduction: The occupational therapist acts as a promoter of health and quality of occupational life in the hospital context. To implement the Occupational Therapy Service in a hospital, it may need to adopt and articulate different strategies. Objective: To characterize the main requests and therapeutic services developed by the Occupational Therapy residents during the demand analysis process to implement the service. Method: This is a quantitative and qualitative research approach. We analyzed 151 assessment requests received for the Occupational Therapy service of patients treated at a university hospital, from June 2012 to June 2013. Data were submitted to descriptive and content analysis. Results: During the study period, the Occupational Therapy developed actions involving hospitalized patients, their caregivers, and staff. Patients referred for care were aged between 14 and 88 years and had difficulties mainly related to emotional regulation and the hospitalization process. The service was provided through individual and group approaches, and among them, the most requested were welcoming and orientation to the patient, family, caregivers and professional. Conclusion: The results of this study add knowledge to the factors related to the demand analysis for of Occupational Therapy and reinforce the need for these professionals focus their attention on the requirements essential to implement the services.