Lessons Learned: Occupational Therapy in Nursing Homes during the First Wave of COVID-19 in Spain

This research aims to explore the perception that occupational therapists working in elderly care facilities have about the measures implemented against the COVID-19 pandemic in their resources, and the impact that these measures have had on occupational therapy in these facilities. An interpretive paradigm was selected, using a qualitative approach and a phenomenological design. Sixteen occupational therapists working in elderly care facilities in two Spanish regions were included. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. A discourse analysis of the narrative information was carried out using open, axial, and selective coding processes and the constant comparison method. Four themes were extracted from the analysis results: The initial chaos in senior centers; The blurring of occupational therapists’ roles; The emergence of technology; and organizational and therapeutic proposals for future pandemics. The pandemic had a significant impact on the care and therapeutic processes in elderly care facilities. Occupational therapists had to stop performing their functions to dedicate themselves to other support, auxiliary or communication tasks between the center and the families. Similarly, it is worth noting the emergence of low-cost technology to facilitate communication and to carry out some therapeutic interventions.

Arthritis glove provision in rheumatoid arthritis and hand osteoarthritis: A survey of United Kingdom rheumatology occupational therapists

Introduction Hand pain and function limitations are common in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and hand osteoarthritis (HOA). Provision of arthritis (compression) gloves to relieve hand symptoms is increasing in occupational therapy. Research evaluating arthritis gloves dates to the 1990s, focussing on night-wear of full-length finger gloves in RA. This survey examined glove provision in contemporary clinical practice in the United Kingdom. Methods A survey of arthritis glove provision in RA was conducted with Royal College of Occupational Therapists Rheumatology Specialist Section members. A more detailed survey about glove provision in RA and HOA was conducted with rheumatology occupational therapists in North-West England. Results Response rates were good, with 60 (73%) therapists responding to the national and 24 (69%) to the regional surveys. Most therapists provided open-finger gloves (commonly IsotonerTM) to about a third of their RA and HOA patients, and to those with any arthritic condition causing significant hand pain and/or swelling. Day-wear was as common as night-wear, and patients were advised to wear these ‘as and when’ for hand symptom relief and support for hand function. They were advised not to wear gloves continually in the day, and regularly perform hand exercises and monitor for potential adverse effects, for example, skin discolouration. Therapists commonly provide replacement gloves as these are often used long-term. Conclusion Prescription of arthritis gloves has changed considerably in the last 30 years, with open-finger gloves provided to a wider range of people with arthritis, for a broader range of clinical reasons.