Sexualidade na velhice: construindo saberes na formação de acadêmicos em fisioterapia

Abstract

The aging process produces transformations, changes and adaptations in different aspects of people's lives, among which sexuality stands out. Considering the subject matter is a delicate and difficult to approach, it is essential that it be content in the process of training health professionals. Thus, the objective was to understand how the sexuality in old age is approached in the graduation in Physiotherapy, analyzing what knowledge and attitudes are manifested by the trainees in relation to the theme, pointing out the suggestions for a more humanized professional formation in the health care of Elderly and elderly. For that, a quantitative-qualitative research approach was used, based on data triangulation, carried out in three institutions of higher education and counted on the participation of 60 trainees from Physical Therapy courses. Firstly, the PPCs of the courses were analyzed, followed by the application of the Attitudes and Knowledge Scale on Sexuality in Aging, and after that, focus groups were structured with the students. The results indicate that rarely sexuality and aging are treated as curricular content, when they occupy this position, it is the perspective of the biomedical knowledge that guides the approach of the subject. It is understood that the professionalization process of Physical Therapy is still very marked by the medical hegemony in health and the vision (positive or negative) that the students present regarding the subject sexuality in old age, their behaviors, their experiences, is built in the course of formation. It is also worth noting that the invisibility of the topic raises many doubts, many insecurities and fears of new looks on sexuality and aging. Thus, it is necessary to break prejudices and that the experience of sexuality constitutes a healthy aging, identifying the role of the physiotherapist in the multidisciplinary health team. Although these discussions are still relegated to the shadow zones of Physical Therapy training, it is believed that the results of this dissertation will stimulate adaptation to its courses in order to minimize the taboo of this theme Keywords: Sexuality. Aging. Professional qualification. Curriculum.