Analysis of the occupational therapist's professional identity when working in acquired brain injury rehabilitation within a municipal service

Abstract

Background Changes in rehabilitation pathways are reducing the amount of time patients spend in hospital, resulting in an earlier return to municipal care. Studies show that occupational therapists find working with patients with acquired brain injury to be complex and that, in some situations, they fail to believe in their own professional expertise. This qualitative study aimed to explore how the professional expertise of occupational therapists working in acquired brain injury rehabilitation within a municipal service is understood. Methods One monoprofessional focus group interview with occupational therapists and five focus group interviews with professionals from municipal interprofessional rehabilitation coordinating units formed the basis for the study. Data were analysed using systematic text condensation. Results A holistic view and strategically selected areas of expertise were found to characterise the work of occupational therapists in the municipal setting. A composed base of knowledge enables occupational therapists to be rehabilitators while working in collaboration with multiple professional partners. Conclusions Expertise in the areas of adaptation, assistive devices and cognition are considered to be valuable in acquired brain injury rehabilitation in a municipal setting. A practical synthesis of knowledge, transprofessional collaboration and role release enable the occupational therapist to act as a multifarious rehabilitator.