[Undergraduate education and health practices of speech and language pathologists working in public health services]

Comprehensive health care is still a challenge for all who participate in the transformation of undergraduate education and health care practices. Among health professionals, speech and language pathologists are also invited to reflect on these questions. The aim of this study was to investigate some aspects of the undergraduate education and health care practices of speech and language pathologists (graduates of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro) working in public health units. A descriptive cross study was carried out with ten subjects who responded to a questionnaire and were interviewed. The transcribed data were analyzed based on their content and the frequency of the answers. The results showed that most of the interviewed professionals considered the traineeships as one of the most important experiences of the undergraduate course, had extracurricular experience in public health services, attended specialization courses, and worked in more than one public health unit. Also, the study found that individual therapy was the main activity carried out in the public health services by the professionals. The study identified relevant points to be discussed about undergraduate education and public health care practices for these health professionals.