Future Of Occupational Therapy Research Articles

Occupational therapy students' perceptions of their experience in a role-emerging Level II fieldwork within higher education student services

BackgroundRole-emerging settings – those where occupational therapy (OT) services have not traditionally been provided – are common sites for practice placements of entry-level occupational therapy students. A growing body of literature has attempted to determine the value and drawbacks of such practice placements on the professional preparedness of OT students with mixed findings. Benefits have been identified, including increased cultural understanding, advocacy, creativity, initiative, and problem-solving skills. However, OT students have been reported to perceive such placement as limiting their professional growth and preparedness to practice compared to traditional placements.MethodsA phenomenological study was conducted seeking the perceptions of OT students (n = 14) about their clinical placement at a role-emerging site. Recorded semi-structured interviews were conducted by trained interviewers within two weeks of the end of clinical placement. The recordings were transcribed verbatim and then coded using an iterative multi-coder inductive approach. Inter-coder agreement, reflectivity, and audit trail were maintained.ResultsThree themes emerged from the analysis: (1) integrating independence and support, (2) becoming occupational therapists, and (3) filling a gap. These themes reflect students’ positive perceptions of their role-emerging clinical placement. They felt that this placement allowed them to develop self-confidence and professional identity as occupational therapists and learn new skills while simultaneously filling a gap in services for clients. Most importantly, they felt that this placement prepared them for their future OT practice.ConclusionThis finding and their resounding support of the experience suggest that OT students can perceive role-emerging placement as a solid foundation for clinical practice. Factors, included in this placement, that may have contributed to their experience include the level of support provided, time available for learning including space to make mistakes, and freedom from productivity and payor requirements.

A Systematic Review of Occupational Therapy Care Programs for Dementia Patients: Accomplishments and Suggestions for Improvement

The primary goal of the present study was to critically review previous research on an increasingly important role that occupational therapy (OT) plays in dementia care. OT interventions such as cognitive training, memory strategies, and engagement in meaningful activities have been shown to improve cognitive function in individuals with dementia. The present study found that (1) strength based, (2) patient-centered, and (3) caregiver-collaborative OT interventions were significantly more effective in helping dementia patients maintain and/or improve their cognitive abilities (e.g., attention, memory, problem-solving, and decision-making skills) as well as their functional ability to perform instrumental activities of daily living including bathing, dressing, grooming, meal preparation, and managing finances. On the contrary, there is a growing need for providing occupational therapists with tailored training and education programs designed specifically for their intervention services for clients with dementia. Evidence-based interventions also need to be applied to address the specific needs of individuals with dementia. Given an exponentially growing number of dementia patients each year worldwide, it is imperative to have affordable and effective OT intervention services. The current study suggests a holistic OT intervention approach based on the biopsychosocial theoretical framework as the future of OT in dementia care.

A small-scale study exploring the efficacy of scale modelling as an open intervention for military veterans with mental health conditions

Introduction: Medical discharges due to mental health conditions have steadily increased within the British Armed Forces since 2007, with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) cited for 41% of these. Mental health conditions can adversely impact engagement in activities of daily living. Research has shown that meaningful activity has benefits for mental well-being and engagement in this population. Aims: This small-scale study aimed to determine whether scale modelling had a measurable impact on veteran well-being and to describe how the results of this study may inform future occupational therapy research with veterans. Method: This was a retrospective quantitative design using the Short Warwick and Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale to gather pre- and post-engagement data from veterans attending scale-modelling groups. Results: N = 12. There was a positive difference between pre- and post-engagement in scale modelling, p < 0.05, and effect size 0.61 within a limited participant pool. The Model-of-Human-Occupation and the Occupational Perspective of Health framework demonstrated that participants who found meaning and value in an activity were most likely to benefit from it. Conclusion: This study suggests that scale modelling enables health, well-being and independence for veterans if found meaningful by them. This is a limited-size study contributing to an under-researched area, opening pathways for further research with this participant group.

CHARACTERISTICS OF DIAGNOSTIC INSTRUMENTARIUM OF THE FORMATION OF NATURAL AND SCIENTIFIC COMPETENCE OF FUTURE SPECIALISTS IN PHYSICAL THERAPY AND ERGOTHERAPY

The article describes the criteria, indicators and levels formation of natural and scientific competence of future specialists from of physical therapy and occupational therapy in the process of professional training in modern higher education institutions. A number of criteria are proposed, including: personal and motivational, cognitive, integration-content, information-communicative, operational, health-care and professional-reflective. For a number of indicators and levels are distinguished for each criterion (elementary, basic, sufficient and creative) formation of natural and scientific competence of future specialists.The personal and motivational criterion evaluates the formation of motives for studying natural and scientific disciplines, attitudes towards them, the presence of a motivational attitude towards professional rehabilitation activities. The integration-content criterion is aimed at evaluating the degree possession of interdisciplinary and transsubjective knowledge in the field of natural sciences, as well as the formation of integral knowledge about the essence and the content of the professional natural and scientific activity of the future specialist physical therapy and occupational therapy.

Patient Consumerism and Its Influence on the Future of Occupational Therapy.

The cost of care is shifting to the individual in the form of high-deductible health plans and health savings accounts. The public demands and expects innovation in health care and health delivery and is using quality and cost data to make purchasing decisions. Public expectations for convenience are demonstrated in the use of walk-in clinics, telemedicine, and other technologies. As a result of the responsibility for paying and managing one's own health, consumerism involves a curated approach to selecting health services. This Health Policy Perspectives column examines how consumerism influences health care policy, in particular occupational therapy service delivery. Issues that consumerism creates include (1) a lack of publicly shared cost and quality data about occupational therapy; (2) confusion in measurement of client-centered care, patient satisfaction, and patient experience; (3) inadequate incorporation of patient shared decision-making throughout the occupational therapy process; and (4) payment model restrictions in service delivery. Occupational therapy practitioners must help consumers learn, through patient shared decision-making, that occupational therapy is evidence based and produces desired outcomes, thereby both improving the quality and lowering the cost of health care. Occupational therapy practitioners must advocate for lower cost and convenient service options in the community through an array of technologies. Practice scholarship of the clinical doctorate in occupational therapy must focus on conducting consumer research related to patient experience; enhancing service delivery through quality improvement; and innovating practice for new sites and methods of service delivery, including the use of technology.

International consensus on occupational therapy interventions for people with palliative care needs: A European Association for Palliative Care Group Concept Mapping study

Background: While evidence shows that occupational therapists can play a key role in the care of people with palliative care needs, more knowledge about effective occupational therapy interventions for this group is needed. Aim: To identify, organise and prioritise intervention components considered to be effective within occupational therapy for people with palliative care needs from the perspective of occupational therapy clinicians, managers and researchers. Design: Group Concept Mapping utilising a mixed methods participatory approach. Using a focus prompt, participants brainstormed, sorted, labelled and rated generated statements about effective occupational therapy intervention components. Multidimensional scaling analysis and cluster analysis were conducted. Setting/Participants: Snowball recruitment was used to recruit participants. Participants included occupational therapists worldwide who were able to read and write in English and were working as clinicians, managers and/or researchers with occupational therapy interventions for people with palliative care needs. Results: Seventy-two occupational therapists from 15 countries participated in the study representing Asia (n = 3, 20%), Europe (n = 8, 53%), Oceania (n = 2, 13%) and North America (n = 2, 13%). A total of 117 statements were identified and organised into five clusters: (1) being client-centred, (2) promoting occupational engagement to optimise quality of life, (3) involving the social and relational environment, (4) enabling occupations and (5) facilitating occupational adaptation. Conclusions: Five clusters of core occupational therapy intervention components were considered to be effective when supporting people with palliative care needs. Research should use this knowledge to inform future occupational therapy interventions for this group of people.

Developing multisectoral strategies to promote evidence-based practice in rehabilitation: findings from an end-of-grant knowledge translation symposium

Purpose Following a longitudinal study to understand how evidence-based practice evolves during the initial years of occupational therapy (OT) and physiotherapy (PT) practice, we held an end-of-grant symposium with representatives from education, practice, research, and policy. The objectives were to: (1) elicit feedback on the implications of the study results; and (2) co-develop a list of actionable recommendations for each sector. Methods Qualitative participatory approach. The symposium was held over two half days and consisted of a presentation of study findings, a discussion on the implications of the research for each sector and future recommendations. Discussions were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and analyzed using qualitative thematic analysis. Results The themes related to implications of the longitudinal study included: (1) A need to rethink what evidence-based practice (EBP) really is; (2) How to practice EBP; and (3) The continuing challenge of measuring EBP. The co-development of actionable recommendations resulted in nine strategies. Conclusions This study highlighted how we may collectively promote EBP competencies in future OTs and PTs. We generated sector-specific avenues that may be pursued to promote EBP and argued for the importance of pooling efforts from the four sectors so that we may achieve the intended ethos of EBP. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION There is a need to revisit the definition of evidence-based practice (EBP) and the traditional 3-circle model in rehabilitation to include a broader conceptualization of what constitutes evidence. We recommend using EBP measures as tools for self-reflection and professional development that can support practitioners to be reflective and accountable evidence-based practitioners. Optimal promotion of EBP competencies in occupational therapists and physiotherapists should rest upon collaborative efforts from the education, practice, research, and policy sectors.

A Call to Arms for Professional Sustainability and Practitioner’s Mental Health

Despite professional commitment to wellness, supporting and addressing clinician mental health and professional sustainability has not been historically prioritized or well-understood within the occupational therapy profession. This paper discusses how to build a mentally strong, resilient, sustainable current and future occupational therapy workforce at the personal and systemwide levels to prioritize practitioner mental health. Specific barriers to and support for practitioner occupational balance and mental health as well as systemwide professional sustainability are discussed highlighting a Model of the Interplay of Occupational Balance and Professional Sustainability.

Occupational Therapy Fieldwork Education: Value and Purpose.

The purpose of fieldwork education is to propel each generation of occupational therapy practitioners from the role of student to that of practitioner. Through the fieldwork experience, future occupational therapy practitioners achieve competence in applying the occupational therapy process and using evidence-based interventions to meet the occupational needs of a diverse client population. Fieldwork experiences may occur in a variety of practice settings, including medical, educational, research, administrative, and community-based programs. Moreover, fieldwork placements also present the opportunity to introduce occupational therapy services to new and emerging practice environments.

SELF-EDUCATIONAL – A QUALITY BENCHMARK FOR THE PROFESSIONAL TRAINING OF FUTURE EXPERTS IN PHYSICAL THERAPY AND OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY IN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS

In modern conditions of social development, the requirements for future physical and occupational therapists' professional training are changing.
 In order to train highly qualified specialists ready for professional activities in today's changing conditions, it is necessary to form their self-educational competence.
 In order to be competitive in the labor market, it is necessary to increase one’s potential during self-education activities. This determines the relevance of the formation of self-educational competence of future physical rehabilitators, occupational therapists during their studies at higher education institutions.
 In this article, we aim to substantiate the need for the formation of self-educational competence in future specialists in physical therapy and occupational therapy during their studies at higher education institutions.
 It has been established that self-educational competence is an integral component of the professional adequacy of a physiotherapist and an occupational therapist. This competence includes the ability to acquire knowledge independently and understand the importance of education throughout life.
 It was determined that the formed self-educational competence of future physiotherapy specialists ensures their professional mobility, competitiveness in the labor market and promotes the development of adaptive skills.
 It is emphasized that the formation of self-learning competence is a continuous process carried out throughout a specialist's entire professional activity.
 The importance of forming basic skills and components of self-educational competence to enable students to carry out the process of self-education in the future is highlighted.
 The relevance of the development of self-educational competence of future specialists, in particular of physical and occupational therapy in current conditions of remote studying, was noted.
 It has been established that today's conditions require restructuring the principle of cooperation between teachers and students by reducing classroom classes, devoting more time for independent processing of educational material, as well as optimization of methodical support of the educational process etc.
 The purpose of the research: to theoretically substantiate the need for the formation of self-educational competence in future specialists in physical and occupational therapy during their studies in institutions of higher education.
 Materials and methods: systematic analysis of scientific literature; theoretical generalization and systematization of information about the formation of self-educational competence of future physical and occupational therapy specialists during professional training in higher education institutions.
 As a result of the research, it was concluded that there is a high demand in society for physical and occupational therapists who can independently acquire knowledge and master new methods and technologies.
 That is why it is necessary that their professional self-development training should be carried out during studying in higher education facilities.
 Graduates of higher education institutions must maintain scientific knowledge, effective techniques, and skills that allow them to adapt independently and quickly in a changing information environment.
 We believe that the ability of students to self-educate and the desire to improve their skills contribute to the improvement of the quality of higher education.

Effect of A Stress Management Program on the Stress and Occupation of Chiang Mai University Students

Background:Stress is a problem that is often found in students due to their own expectations within themselves and those of others which students have to bear. Furthermore, stress occurs from the changes at the personnel, social, and environmental levels. This stress has an effect on the occupation of students.Objective:This study was conducted to develop a stress management program and increase the capacity in the occupational performance of Chiang Mai University students.Methods:This study was quasi-experimental research that undertook an experiment according to the two-group research design. This measured both the pretest and post-test results of the experiment. The study used purposive sampling with a total of 24 samples comprising 12 persons in the experimental group and 12 persons in the control group. The experimental group joined the program eight times or for eight weeks one time per week for 90 minutes. This utilized the technique of managing the stress, which consisted of stress management skills and stress relaxation techniques. The sample was evaluated with an evaluation form. Moreover, the Suanprung Stress Test-20 and Test-60 were used, as well as an evaluation form of the occupational performance of the students, which was adapted from a similar form of the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM). This was conducted before and after joining the program, so to gather information, an analysis on the information by using the independent t-test to compare the experimental group and the control group before and after receiving the stress management program, as well as the dependent t-test was conducted. Information analysis was carried out to compare the samples in the same group.Results:After receiving the stress management program, the experimental group had less stress, which had statistical significance. There was also greater capacity in the occupational performance that also displayed statistical significance. The result of joining the program was different from the control group, that had a statistical significance level of 0.05. In the control group, the people who lived their daily life, as usual, showed no difference between stress and occupational performance.Conclusion:The studied results showed the effectiveness of the stress management program in reducing stress and increasing the occupational performance of Chiang Mai University students. This could be implemented as a prototype of the program to solve the problems created from the stress of Chiang Mai University students. This would also have a positive effect on future occupational therapy.

Teachers’ Experiences with Occupational Therapy Multi-Tiered Systems Support: A Qualitative Study

ABSTRACT School-based occupational therapy practitioners participate in multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) for all students, including general education students who may be at risk for school failure. However, there is little information in the literature on how school-based therapists achieve this and the perceptions of teachers who engage with occupational therapy practitioners providing service within the MTSS framework. This study aimed to understand the experiences of elementary public-school teachers working with occupational therapy practitioners who provided services within an MTSS framework. A qualitative study with a quantitative component was employed to answer the research question. Teachers (n = 13) from four different regions of the United States participated. Data sources included verbatim transcribed interviews, surveys, and documents. Data analysis revealed several constructive themes, including teachers’ learning from occupational therapists, frequent and efficient utilization, students’ progress, and teachers’ positive feelings toward occupational therapy practitioners participating in MTSS. Teachers understood occupational therapists’ workloads, respected occupational therapy practitioners, and expressed a need for more occupational therapy services in MTSS. However, the teachers did not have documentation to verify the occupational therapists’ service within the MTSS framework, which could be a stumbling block for future school-based occupational therapy practitioners’ involvement in MTSS.

A Universal Mental Health Promotion Program that Demonstrates Psychosocial Benefits for Elementary School Students Who Perceive Low Emotional Self-Efficacy

ABSTRACT Using a quasi-experimental design with no control groups, this pilot study aimed to test the effectiveness of a universal mental health promotion program for elementary school students in an underserved United States-Mexico border community. A total of eighty-five fifth and sixth grade students participated in this program and completed the emotional domain of the Self-Efficacy Questionnaire for Children before and after the intervention. Preliminary program benefits were identified among students who perceived low emotional self-efficacy prior to program participation. The program satisfaction rate was over 60%. About 70% of the participants expressed both confidence and competence in using calming tools for future stressful events. This study supports the use of occupational- and activity-based programs in public elementary schools that serve predominantly Hispanic students from low socioeconomic households. Implications for future occupational therapy practice and research are discussed.

Situated Cognition and Self-Directed Learning: Pedagogical Approaches to Developing Skills in Advocacy

Advocacy for clients and the profession are important aspects of occupational therapy practice. Accreditation requirements for educational programs demand students are taught about advocacy. However, effective methods of teaching advocacy to future occupational therapy practitioners have not been widely studied. This article aims to highlight the use of situated cognition and self-directed learning in developing advocacy skills among occupational therapy students. Pre and post-test scores of the Advocacy Competencies Self-Assessment Survey obtained from 39 students were examined for changes in perception of personal advocacy skills and beliefs associated with a required advocacy course. Statistically significant improvement was noted across all items and domains. To facilitate this change, students applied the principles of situated cognition to a project in which they advocated for a real issue important to the profession of occupational therapy. Students also applied the principles of self-directed learning as they worked through the advocacy process toward anticipated outcomes. Situated cognition and self-directed learning theories support authentic learning and transformation around advocacy.

Exploring the Perspectives of Community Mentors in Occupational Therapy Education

Involving people with disabilities in the education of occupational therapy students is important for improving knowledge, skills, and attitudes that promote client-centered practice. At Queen’s University in Ontario, Canada, community mentors with disabilities are involved in an occupational therapy course designed to enhance student understanding and empathy for the lived experience of disability. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the course required adjustment to adhere to health and safety precautions. We explored the perspectives of community mentors with disabilities who participated in the course during the pandemic to better understand how pandemic-related restrictions affected the mentoring experience, their relationships with students, and educational quality. Findings revealed that all participants considered their mentor role to be beneficial and positive, regardless of the chosen method of interaction (i.e., in-person or via digital technology). However, mentors with prior experience in this role identified differences in the relational aspects of the experience. Some mentors who had established mentoring patterns pre-pandemic quickly shifted into pre-COVID routines, despite the inherent risk, seemingly based on an internalized image of what the role should entail. Other mentors indicated acceptance of the altered patterns, and noted benefits associated with the use of technology. The findings confirm that ensuring mentor autonomy, providing training to mentors, and continuing to promote the benefits of such a course are crucial to support their role in shaping future occupational therapy practice.

From domestication to imperial patronage: Deconstructing the biomedicalisation of occupational therapy.

Occupational therapy knowledge emerged in the 19th century as reformist movements responded to the industrialisation of society and capitalist expansion. In the Global North, it was institutionalised by State apparatuses during the First and Second World Wars. Although biomedicine contributed to the rapid expansion and establishment of occupational therapy as a health discipline, its domestication by the biomedical model led to an overly regulated profession that betrays its reformist ideals. Drawing on the work of Deleuze and Guattari, our aim in this article is to deconstruct the biomedicalisation of occupational therapy and demonstrate how resistance to this process is critical for the future of this discipline. The use of arts and crafts in occupational therapy may be conceptualised as a 'nomad science' aesthetically resisting the domination of industrialism and medical reductionism. Through the war efforts, a coalition of progressive nurses, social workers, teachers, artisans and activists metamorphosed into occupational therapists. As it did with nursing, biomedicine proceeded to domesticate occupational therapy through a form of 'imperial' patronage subsequently embodied in the evidence-based movement. 'Occupational' jargon is widely used today and may be viewed as the product of a profession trying to establish itself as an autonomous discipline that imposes its own regime of truth. Given the symbolic violence underlying this patronage, the future of occupational therapy should not mean behaving according to biomedicine's terms. As a discipline, occupational therapy must resist the appropriation of its 'war machine' and craft its own terms through the release of new creative energy.

The Future of Occupational Therapy in Rehabilitation Sciences: Global Impact

Occupational therapy (OT) is a part of quality care that adds value in holistic team of health care since it focuses on assisting people across the lifespan to recover, grow, or enhance life skills to live autonomously, productive, and content. In its least complex terms, occupational therapists assist individuals of all age group to take part in life activities with interest and desire through the beneficial use of everyday activities (occupations). Occupational Therapists (OTs) serve diverse population and diagnoses that may include mental health, psychiatric and psychosocial conditions (i.e., depression, anxiety), pediatric and developmental conditions (i.e., developmental delays, autism), geriatric conditions (i.e., dementia Alzheimer type), neurological conditions (i.e., stroke, spinal cord injuries, hand injuries), physical conditions (i.e., burns, fractures), and any other conditions that restrict participation and functional performance for individuals.

Telehealth in school-based practice: Perceived viability to bridge global OT practitioner shortages prior to COVID-19 global health emergency.

Prior to the COVID-19 global health emergency, telehealth was an emerging occupational therapy (OT) service delivery model possessing many positive attributes. These include the potential to offset well-documented global occupational therapy practitioner (OTP) shortages. However, wide-spread adoption of telehealth as a delivery model in school-based practice is lacking in the OT evidence literature. While the COVID-19 global health emergency propelled many OTPs into the use of telehealth technologies, in some cases with minimal preparation, an investigation was conducted into the likelihood of telehealth adoption when comprehensive training was provided so that appropriateness of student fit for telehealth could be determined and essential planning could take place. Prior to the COVID-19 global health emergency, a comprehensive training program was developed incorporating detailed perceptions of OTPs experienced in and new to telehealth in school-based practice as measured via surveys with the goal of increasing adoption of telehealth technologies for the delivery of OT services. Following the completion of the online New to Telehealth Pre-training Survey, OTPs new to telehealth were invited to complete the OT Telehealth Primer: School-based Practice training program. Analysis of pre- and post-training surveys yielded information about attitudinal changes experienced post-training. Prior to the COVID-19 global health emergency, school-based occupational therapy practitioners (OTP) experienced in telehealth were invited to complete a survey exploring benefits and barriers encountered in the delivery of OT services using telehealth. OTPs new-to-telehealth were invited to complete a different survey intended to explore attitudes about the potential use of telehealth. Data collected from both surveys were used to develop a comprehensive training program, The OT Telehealth Primer for School-based Practice. OTPs new-to-telehealth were invited to complete the training program and a post-training survey. A descriptive data analysis was completed on responses from pre- to post-training surveys and the chi-square test of independence was used to evaluate difference in reported likelihood of adopting telehealth into practice before and after training. Prior to the COVID-19 global health emergency, the top benefits identified by the OTP Experienced Telehealth-User Survey included: 1) service access, 2) collaboration and carry-over with team members, 3) efficiency themes, and4) student engagement and comfort. Top benefits identified by the OTP New to Telehealth Survey identified the same top benefits after participating in the training program. A significant decrease in perceived barriers was noted in scores from pre- to post-training by OTPs new to telehealth. The perceived barriers that did not significantly decrease post-training suggest the need for future education and future protocol development. These included: unreliable internet, lack of hands-on opportunity and e-helpers' (parent, caregiver or support system available to assist the student in person during a telehealth session) decreased comfort with technology. Of the participants who completed the OT Telehealth Primer: School-based Practice, 80% reported being likely to add telehealth as a delivery model for future OT practice. Prior to the COVID-19 global health emergency, completion of the comprehensive training program OT Telehealth Primer: School-based Practice program yielded improved perceived benefits and an increased likelihood of telehealth adoption into practice by OTPs. However, both OTPs and school administrators require ongoing education for successful widespread adoption to be achieved thus offsetting the global shortage of OTPs and increasing service access. Future research, particularly related to available training and support for the rapid adoption of telehealth technologies during the COVID-19 global health emergency, will yield helpful information about the likelihood of continued use of telehealth in practice.

Stakeholder Perspectives on IPS for Employment: A Scoping Review.

Individual Placement and Support (IPS) has demonstrated effectiveness in achieving competitive employment for people with severe mental illness. Yet limited efforts have been made to synthesize the literature pertaining to the experiences and perspectives of key stakeholders regarding IPS, which could be helpful for occupational therapists, given their role in vocational rehabilitation. To synthesize qualitative literature to understand how stakeholders (including occupational therapists) experience and perceive IPS and consider the implications for future occupational therapy practice and research. A scoping review methodology guided our review. We conducted an electronic search of qualitative and mixed-method studies on IPS. Twenty-six articles were retrieved. Most studies sought clients' perspectives (n = 15), followed by practitioners (mostly employment specialists; n = 10) and only one with employers. There is a need for research targeting practitioners and employers which will help improve the nature of the collaboration between mental health teams, vocational teams, and employers.

Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy of an Occupational Therapy Intervention for Older Adults With Chronic Conditions in a Primary Care Clinic.

Occupational therapy can play a role in primary care management of chronic diseases among older adults. To assess the feasibility of delivering a primary care occupation-focused intervention (Integrated PRimary care and Occupational therapy for Aging and Chronic disease Treatment to preserve Independence and Functioning, or i-PROACTIF) for older adults with chronic disease. Feasibility study comparing i-PROACTIF with complex care management using a two-group randomized controlled trial design with data gathered at baseline and during and after the 8-wk intervention. Family medicine clinic serving an urban, low-income, working-class community. Feasibility indicators were recruitment, retention, utility of clinical assessments, and acceptability of interventions assessed through feedback surveys completed by patients and primary care providers (PCPs). Patient outcomes, including perspectives on chronic illness care, occupational performance, and overall well-being, were collected using standardized, validated measures and analyzed descriptively. Eighteen adult volunteers, ages ≥50 yr, with heart disease, arthritis, and uncontrolled diabetes completed the study. Ten PCPs completed feedback surveys. i-PROACTIF focuses on preserving functional independence, is based on the Person-Environment-Occupation framework, and consists of two assessment sessions and six weekly treatment sessions. Recruitment goals were achieved, with an 86% retention rate. Clinical measures unearthed deficits in areas that were unreported or underreported by patients. Participants reported being extremely satisfied with the intervention. Physicians and nurses also supported the intervention. Both groups showed improved scores on most outcomes. Delivering and evaluating i-PROACTIF was feasible and acceptable. Future efficacy trials are needed before it can be used in clinical settings. The results of this study can inform future occupational therapy interventions and clinical trials in primary care for older adults with chronic conditions.