scholarly journals Telehealth for the Provision of Occupational Therapy: Reflections on Experiences During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 77-92
Author(s):  
Sue Dahl-Popolizio ◽  
Heidi Carpenter ◽  
Melissa Coronado ◽  
Nicholas J. Popolizio ◽  
Connor Swanson
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Service Delivery ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Service Delivery Model ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Delivery Model ◽  
Therapy Services ◽  
Effective Service ◽  
Therapy Service

During the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020, healthcare professionals worldwide abruptly shifted from an in-person to a telehealth service delivery model. Many did so without advanced training or preparation. This cross-sectional study explored how occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) used telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic, and whether they found it to be an effective service delivery model that should be a permanent option for providing occupational therapy services. An online survey was disseminated; it included Likert scale questions, multiple option questions, and open-ended questions regarding telehealth use during the COVID-19 pandemic. Of the 230 respondents, 176 (77%) support telehealth as a substitute for in-person services; 179 (78%) support telehealth as a permanent option for occupational therapy service delivery. This information lends support to the uninterrupted use of telehealth by OTPs when government emergency orders in response to COVID-19 expire.

scholarly journals Occupational Therapy Services in School-Based Practice: A Pediatric Occupational Therapy Perspective from Ireland

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Carol O’Donoghue ◽  
Jennifer O’Leary ◽  
Helen Lynch
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Service Delivery ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
School Based ◽  
Therapy Services

Purpose. School is a primary setting for pediatric occupational therapy practice, yet little is known about the provision of school-based occupational therapy in many countries internationally. The purpose of this study was to explore current school-based occupational therapy practice for the first time in Ireland to gain insight into current and potential service provision and to identify new directions and potential pathways for development. Methods. This descriptive quantitative study utilized a cross-sectional online survey to gain the perspectives of the population of pediatric occupational therapists working regularly in schools across Ireland. Respondents were recruited through convenience and snowball sampling. Data were analysed through qualitative content analysis and descriptive statistics. Results. The survey elicited 35 responses, yielding a 21.2% estimated response rate. Findings demonstrated that respondents provided therapy services in schools most commonly on a weekly (28.6%) or monthly (34.3%) basis, with only 5.0% working in the same school on a weekly or fortnightly basis. The majority of respondents (54.3%) used a direct therapy approach with a child, rather than coaching or modelling, to primarily address sensory, hand function, or daily living needs. None used a whole class or whole school (universal or tiered) approach. While respondents (54.3%) generally viewed collaborative practice as a strength of school-based practice, they also identified barriers to collaboration in schools. A core barrier is related to how services are constructed across health and education, with differing philosophies of service provision. The majority of respondents (75.0%) reported that they had not received any training to deliver evidence-based practice in therapy provision specific to school-based practice. Implications for Practice. This study indicates that therapists require continual education on evidence-based school practice as it applies in an Irish context. Furthermore, clarification of school therapy roles and service delivery models are required in order to determine how they contrast with traditional clinic roles. This will enable therapists to strengthen the coordination of service delivery between health and educational services to maximize the outcomes of school-based practice.

Workplace mental health: Current practice and support needs of Ontario occupational therapists

2018 ◽  
Vol 85 (5) ◽  
pp. 408-417
Author(s):  
Sandra E. Moll ◽  
Caitlin M. Heino ◽  
Alison H. LeBlanc ◽  
Lydia B. Beck ◽  
Laura M. Kalef
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Support Needs ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Related Services ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Workplace Mental Health

Background. Workplace mental health (WMH) is an important and expanding practice area for occupational therapists. Purpose. This cross-sectional study explores the current practices and support needs of Ontario-based occupational therapists in WMH. Method. Registrants from the provincial association who provide mental health and/or work-related services were invited to participate. Ninety-three therapists completed an online survey; 10 participated in follow-up focus groups. Analysis involved descriptive statistics of the survey data and content analysis of the focus group data. Findings. Return to work, reactivation, and functional cognitive assessment were the most commonly reported services. Key challenges were limited funding and training and lack of awareness of the occupational therapy role. Therapists emphasized the importance of raising the competence, credibility, and profile of occupational therapy in WMH. Implications. Defining the role of occupational therapy, developing training and resources, and advocacy are needed to advance occupational therapy practice within this rapidly changing field.

Higher Frequency of Acute Occupational Therapy Services Is Associated With Reduced Hospital Readmissions

2021 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Edelstein ◽  
Rebekah Walker ◽  
Addie Middleton ◽  
Timothy Reistetter ◽  
Kelli Williams Gary ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Service Delivery ◽  
Patient Outcomes ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Hospital Readmissions ◽  
Self Care ◽  
Lower Odds ◽  
Therapy Services ◽  
Care Training ◽  
Therapy Service

Importance: Hospital readmissions are associated with poor patient outcomes, including higher risk for mortality, nutritional concerns, deconditioning, and higher costs. Objective: To evaluate how acute occupational therapy service delivery factors affect readmission risk. Design: Cross-sectional, retrospective study. Setting: Single academic medical center. Participants: Medicare inpatients with a diagnosis included in the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP; N = 17,618). Data were collected from medical records at a large urban hospital in southeastern Wisconsin. Outcomes and Measures: Logistic regression models were estimated to examine the association between acute occupational therapy service delivery factors and odds of readmission. In addition, the types of acute occupational therapy services for readmitted versus not-readmitted patients were compared. Results: Patients had significantly higher odds of readmission if they received occupational therapy services while hospitalized (odds ratio [OR] = 1.18, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.07, 1.31]). However, patshients who received acute occupational therapy services had significantly lower odds of readmission if they received a higher frequency (OR = 0.99, 95% CI [0.99,1.00]) of acute occupational therapy services. A significantly higher proportion of patients who were not readmitted, compared with patients who were readmitted, received activities of daily living (ADL) or self-care training (p < .01). Conclusions and Relevance: For patients with HRRP-qualifying diagnoses who received acute occupational therapy services, higher frequency of acute occupational therapy services was linked with lower odds of readmission. Readmitted patients were less likely to have received ADL or self-care training while hospitalized. What This Article Adds: Identifying factors of acute occupational therapy services that reduce the odds of readmission for Medicare patients may help to improve patient outcomes and further define occupational therapy’s role in the U.S. quality-focused health care system.

scholarly journals ‘We are in this together’ voices of speech-language pathologists working in South African healthcare contexts during level 4 and level 5 lockdown of COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Skye N. Adams ◽  
Jaishika Seedat ◽  
Kim Coutts ◽  
Kelly-Ann Kater
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Service Delivery ◽  
South African ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Speech Language Pathologists ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Private And Public ◽  
The Impact

Background: SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) has had a significant impact on every South African but more specifically healthcare professionals, including speech-language pathologists (SLPs). In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, South Africa implemented a nationwide lockdown as confirmed cases continued to rise. Understanding the impact of COVID-19 on SLPs has a three-fold purpose: to re-evaluate service provision, service delivery platforms and to identify the need for support to SLPs during a time of crisis. It is also crucial in guiding how policies and interventions need to be modified.Objectives: The study aimed to better understand how the workspace of SLPs in hospitals was impacted by COVID-19, how they experienced this process and the implications for them as healthcare professionals in both the private and public sector throughout South Africa.Methodology: An exploratory cross-sectional study design was used to meet the aims of the study. Thirty-nine SLPs from different provinces in South Africa, working in government and private hospitals during COVID-19, responded to the online survey. Results were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic content analysis.Results: SLPs’ roles, responsibilities and service delivery were impacted by COVID-19. It was necessary for typical outpatient therapy services to be modified; there were changes to the role of the SLP in the hospital and inpatient services were curtailed.Conclusion: This study provides insightful information to SLPs employed in hospitals to know that they are experiencing similar challenges. It also confirms the resilience of healthcare professionals, including SLPs, when faced with novel and unprecedented situations.

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