Occupational therapy in Latin America: Conceptual discussions on territory and community

Abstract

Background The terms territory and community were adopted by occupational therapy in Latin America approximately 30 years ago because of the social and economic experiences of its countries. Aim To understand the formation of the concepts of territory and community by occupational therapists in Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Colombia. Methods A conceptual review of the specific literature in journals, databases and books published in Latin America between 1990 and July 2020. The two most frequently recurring authors of publications in each country were interviewed. Results 74 publications were selected. The first definitions of these concepts date from the late 1990s. Dialogue with other areas of knowledge began in 2002. Discussion Although the terms are conceptually little developed, their use in occupational therapy in Latin America evidences the understanding that the singularity of people and groups is inseparable from their social history. Conclusions Occupational therapy in Latin America has appropriated notions of territory and community from studies in other areas and the practical experiences of occupational therapists, but little improvement has been observed in the proposition of specific concepts. There is a need for further research on the theoretical-conceptual foundation of the profession.