Occupational Therapists' Perceptions of Appropriate Therapy Aims for Service Users in Mental Health: A Survey of Therapists in the United Kingdom

Abstract

Introduction: In England, the Payment by Results reimbursement system was introduced for mental health services. Occupational therapists developed the indicative care packages for identified clusters endorsed by the system. This study sought to systematically gather and document occupational therapists' viewpoints on the appropriateness of a range of therapy aims and, thereby, inform the creation of the occupational therapy indicative care packages. Method: This study is a descriptive, internet-based survey of therapists in six National Health Service trusts in the United Kingdom. Findings: A total of 262 therapists completed the survey for a response rate of 61.07%. Most were female (85.5%) with varying levels of experience (less than 5 years [33%]; between 5 and 20 years [54%]; over 20 years [13%]). Therapists evaluated the most appropriate aims specified for three occupational performance levels of service users and for six occupational areas. Additional aims were reported by therapists, and there was near-consensus for more than half of the aims, with over 75% of therapists agreeing on their appropriateness. Conclusion: Findings from experts' empirical knowledge inform practice by providing evidence for specifying service outcomes that are theory based and occupation focused in guiding the development of recommended occupational therapy objectives.