Speech Language Therapy in the community during pandemic

report of experiences of undergraduate students

Abstract

Introduction: Covid-19 pandemic has required constant adaptations and planning by educational institutions to preserve academic activities. In-person classes were replaced by remote courses through Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). Since practical activities (such as academic internships) are essential for students in the Health Areas, they also migrated to remote classes. Thus, asynchronous models of service provision were suggested and regulated during this pandemic period. Objective: reporting the experience of interns at the Speech Language and Audiology Course at the Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo during the development of remote activities aimed at students and elderly users of Primary Health Care services during the pandemic. Methods: This is a descriptive study of the experience report type. Results: Actions that could be performed at home were created, divided into physical, speech and memory activities, all with a playful approach, providing opportunities for interaction and stimulation/improvement of the aforementioned skills. For these students, these experiences were fundamental to the development of this new methodology, stimulating their creativity. Conclusion: Remote activities aimed at children and elderly allowed these populations to be supported during social restriction. The opportunity to establish contact with the target audience and the possibility of keeping up interaction with the community was extremelly important for the students. There is a chance of spreading these actions to any group, if they are adapted according to the group age.