Occupational Therapy Utilization Research Articles

Impact of Vision Impairment on Intensity of Occupational Therapy Utilization and Outcomes in Subacute Rehabilitation

To examine whether vision impairment is a predictor of intensity of occupational therapy utilization and outcomes in a sample of older adults ages ≥55 receiving subacute rehabilitation in a long-term care setting. Data for this cohort study were collected by means of structured, in-person interviews with 100 older adult rehabilitation patients at admission to a subacute unit in a long-term care facility and by medical chart review after discharge. Regression analyses indicated that after controlling for sociodemographic, health, and social support variables, worse contrast sensitivity was a significant predictor of decreased time in occupational therapy, and worse visual acuity was a significant predictor of higher functional dependency at discharge. Vision impairment may prevent full use of occupational therapy and hinder occupational therapy efficacy in subacute care settings. Study findings underscore the importance of developing low vision rehabilitation interventions that can be delivered in conjunction with more traditional subacute rehabilitation.

Occupational Therapy Utilization for Individuals with Brain Cancer following a Craniotomy: A Descriptive Study

Occupational Therapy Utilization for Individuals with Brain Cancer following a Craniotomy: A Descriptive Study

Factors Related to the Intensity of Occupational Therapy Utilization in a Geriatric Chronic Care Setting

There is very little known about the intensity of occupational therapy service provision in relation to client characteristics of a geriatric chronic care population. A model was utilized to study demographic and clinical factors associated with the intensity of occupational therapy utilization. A retrospective correlational design was carried out using secondary analysis of occupational therapy workload data merged with selected variables from the Minimum Data Set (MDS) at Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care, Toronto, Ontario and included a sample of 168 clients receiving occupational therapy. The outcome measure used was the total number of minutes of occupational therapy service provided. Having a pressure relieving device for the chair and being active more than one third of waking hours were significantly associated with the intensity of occupational therapy utilization. The clients received a greater amount of time in indirect therapy compared with the amount of time which they received in direct care. The method used to examine occupational therapy service utilization developed in this research facilitates the understanding of occupational therapy resource use based on client characteristics.

Scholarship of Practice in the United Kingdom: An Occupational Therapy Service Case Study

SUMMARYOccupational therapy is required to deliver and generate evidence-based practice. This paper illustrates an approach to meeting these evidence-based expectations. Specifically, there is a description of the development of a partnership between the United Kingdom Centre for Outcomes Research and Education (UKCORE) and The State Hospital which is a forensic mental health service. This case study will illuminate (a) a rationale for partnership, (b) the process of building the partnership, and (c) outcomes of the partnership. Principles of scholarship of practice will be identified and ways of supporting services to integrate occupational therapy knowledge generation and utilisation will be outlined.

Utilization of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy by Ontario Rheumatologists in Managing Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Survey

Utilization of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy by Ontario Rheumatologists in Managing Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Survey

Utilization of Occupational Therapy in Mental Health Facilities in Western Pennsylvania

This paper explores factors that are influencing the utilization of occupational therapists in mental health facilities in Western Pennsylvania from the perspective of administrators of mental health agencies. Administrators completed a 32 item survey. Descriptive statistics were compiled and inferential statistical analysis compared group means by type of facility, employment of occupational therapy personnel, awareness of occupational therapy education, and perceptions of occupational therapy role responsibilities. The results suggest that occupational therapists are being under-utilized in community mental health facilities in Western Pennsylvania and are more likely to be employed in hospitals. Psychosocial services traditionally considered in the domain of occupational therapy are being delivered by both professional and non-professional staff. Practitioners in mental health facilities were most likely to be providing direct service and least likely to consult, train other staff, or offer case management services. Finally, some practitioners who are employed in mental health settings are more likely to be addressing neurological, sensorimotor, and cognitive performance components than psychosocial performance components. The data suggest that employers of occupational therapists do not always have a clear idea of the major roles and functions of occupational therapy practitioners and that occupational therapy has inadequately marketed their services to mental health agencies. Implications for these findings are discussed.

Use of an occupational therapy motor performance checklist by a school health service: a pilot study.

The aim of this pilot study was to assess whether the School Health Service could play a role in identifying the children in most need of community occupational therapy services. A two-tiered referral system, which incorporated a Motor Performance Checklist (MPC) devised by the authors, was used. This checklist consisted of 12 gross and fine motor items and was administered to 123 children in their first year of school. Comparison was made between parent/teacher referrals alone and the two-tiered referral system as measured against a 'gold standard' test (the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency) in a smaller subgroup. Results indicated that the two-tiered referral system incorporating the MPC had a sensitivity of 75% and specificity of 95% while the teacher/parent referrals had a sensitivity of 88% but a low specificity of only 41%. There was no significant difference in sensitivity (z = 0, P > 0.05) but a highly significant difference in specificity (z = 3.56, P < 0.005) between these two systems. This two-tiered referral system has the potential to impact significantly on paediatric occupational therapy utilization, service delivery and waiting times in the community health setting.

Utilization of Occupational Therapy in Combat Stress Control during the Persian Gulf War

This article chronicles the deployment and subsequent utilization of occupational therapy personnel in support of combat stress control operations during the Persian Gulf War. It presents a discussion of occupational therapy's military history, evolving doctrine, and selected training experiences which led to the attachment of occupational therapy personnel to the 528th Medical Detachment (Psychiatric OM Team). A description of roles, functions, methods of operation, and lessons learned help to clarify the direction of occupational therapy in its future wartime mission.

Occupational Therapy for Patients with Eating Disorders

The role of the occupational therapist and activity therapy programs for patients with eating disorders is described. Evaluation methods are outlined with specific comments related to their implications for patients with diagnoses of anorexia nervosa and bulimia. Rationale for referral to specific activity therapy services is discussed. Group protocols are included. Two case studies demonstrate the utilization of occupational therapy and other activity therapies with an anorectic patient and a bulimic patient.

Improving the utilization of occupational therapy: a quality assurance study.

Concerned about the lack of referrals to occupational therapy for patients with activities of daily living (ADL) deficiency, the occupational therapy section of an acute-care community hospital conducted a quality assurance study. Referral standards were established by the occupational therapy department and approved by the medical staff. Initial measurements indicated that 71 percent of patients requiring a referral did not receive it. Since the staff standard for missed referrals was only 15 percent, improvement actions were implemented. After improvements were made in the referral system, missed referrals dropped from 71 to 27 percent, marking an improvement of 44 points. The study produced several other benefits, including better communication among health care providers, improved patient functional assessment, and greater staff commitment to quality assurance activities.

A Study of the Utilization of Occupational Therapy

A Study of the Utilization of Occupational Therapy