ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND MANAGEMENT IN PHYSIOTHERAPY

AN INTERVIEW WITH A PHYSIOTHERAPIST MANAGER OF A LONG-TERM CARE FACILITY FOR THE ELDERLY IN FORTALEZA, CEARÁ

Abstract

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being (Improving management in elderly care).

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth (Promoting professional entrepreneurship).

ABSTRACT: This study reports an extensionist experience developed within the Physical Therapy in Elderly Health course, focusing on the intersection of management, entrepreneurship, and gerontology. The objective was to understand the organization and challenges of a Long-Term Care Institution for the Elderly (ILPI) under the management of a physical therapist in Fortaleza, Ceará. The qualitative and exploratory methodology consisted of three stages: planning, institutional contact, and a technical visit accompanied by a semi-structured interview with the manager of "Vivencie Residencial Sênior". The results describe the professional's career path, the use of business plans, and the need for rigorous architectural adaptations according to RDC 502/2021 to ensure resident safety and functionality. It was evident that, although curriculum guidelines mention management training, there is a practical gap in academic teaching, requiring physical therapists to seek external training to undertake business ventures. The experience demonstrated that gerontological physical therapy, combined with management tools, is a promising field for professional autonomy and the provision of humanized care. In conclusion, the inclusion of management and entrepreneurship content in undergraduate studies is essential to prepare professionals for the challenges of population aging and the contemporary labor market, transcending purely clinical and rehabilitative roles.

Keywords: Physical Therapy; Health Management; Entrepreneurship; Gerontology; Long-Term Care Institution.