Exploring occupational therapy practice in Australian residential aged care facilities: A cross-sectional survey

IF 1.6 4区医学 Q2 REHABILITATION

Australian Occupational Therapy Journal Pub Date : 2024-03-09 DOI:10.1111/1440-1630.12943

Donna Rooney, Tammy Aplin, Sally Bennett, Dorcas Simin Gui, Theresa Scott

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Abstract

Introduction

Occupational therapy in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) can enhance residents' occupational engagement and wellbeing. However, industry reports suggest that occupational therapists in Australian RACFs have mostly provided physical therapies such as pain management via massage and not addressed residents' occupations. There is limited literature on what constitutes occupational therapists' practice in RACFs to inform policy and practice. The aim of this cross-sectional survey was to explore practice patterns of occupational therapists working in Australian RACFs and influences on their practice.

Methods

Occupational therapists working in Australian RACFs were invited from July 2019 to March 2020 to complete a self-report online questionnaire via email and advertisements on industry websites, newsletters, and social media. The questionnaire asked therapists about their caseload, referrals, assessments, and interventions. Data were analysed descriptively and presented as frequencies and percentages.

Results

A total of 214 occupational therapists completed the survey. Occupational therapists' daily practice largely focussed on pain management; other areas of practice included falls prevention, pressure care, and mobility. The Aged Care Funding Instrument in place at the time of the survey was identified as the leading factor influencing therapists' choice of assessments and interventions. Organisational policies and procedures were also perceived as key factors influencing occupational therapy practice.

Conclusion

This paper highlights the influence of government funding and organisational policies in limiting occupational therapists' scope of practice and their ability to fully address the occupational needs of residents. Occupational therapists and the profession in general should be aware of factors in aged care funding models, and their application, that restrict occupational therapy practice and inhibit residents' function and advocate for change where needed. With the introduction of the Australian National Aged Care Classification funding model replacing Aged Care Funding Instrument, future research should explore potential changes to therapists practice following the implementation of the new funding model.

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探索澳大利亚养老院中的职业治疗实践：横断面调查。

简介养老院中的职业疗法可以提高居民的职业参与度和幸福感。然而，行业报告显示，澳大利亚养老院中的职业治疗师大多提供物理治疗，如通过按摩进行疼痛管理，而不涉及居民的职业。关于职业治疗师在康复护理中心的实践内容的文献有限，无法为政策和实践提供参考。这项横断面调查旨在探索在澳大利亚康复护理中心工作的职业治疗师的实践模式以及对其实践的影响因素：从 2019 年 7 月到 2020 年 3 月，我们邀请在澳大利亚 RACF 工作的职业治疗师通过电子邮件以及行业网站、通讯和社交媒体上的广告完成一份自我报告在线问卷。调查问卷向治疗师询问了他们的工作量、转诊、评估和干预情况。数据以频率和百分比的形式进行描述性分析：共有 214 名职业治疗师完成了调查。职业治疗师的日常工作主要集中在疼痛管理方面；其他工作领域包括预防跌倒、压力护理和行动能力。调查时实施的老年护理资助工具被认为是影响治疗师选择评估和干预措施的主要因素。组织政策和程序也被认为是影响职业治疗实践的关键因素：本文强调了政府资助和组织政策在限制职业治疗师的执业范围和充分满足居民职业需求方面的影响。职业治疗师和整个行业都应了解老年护理资助模式及其应用中限制职业治疗实践和抑制居民功能的因素，并在必要时倡导改变。随着澳大利亚全国老年护理分类资助模式取代老年护理资助工具的推出，未来的研究应探讨新资助模式实施后对治疗师实践的潜在影响。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Australian Occupational Therapy Journal 医学-康复医学

CiteScore

2.80

自引率

16.70%

发文量

审稿时长

6-12 weeks

期刊介绍： The Australian Occupational Therapy Journal is a leading international peer reviewed publication presenting influential, high quality innovative scholarship and research relevant to occupational therapy. The aim of the journal is to be a leader in the dissemination of scholarship and evidence to substantiate, influence and shape policy and occupational therapy practice locally and globally. The journal publishes empirical studies, theoretical papers, and reviews. Preference will be given to manuscripts that have a sound theoretical basis, methodological rigour with sufficient scope and scale to make important new contributions to the occupational therapy body of knowledge. AOTJ does not publish protocols for any study design The journal will consider multidisciplinary or interprofessional studies that include occupational therapy, occupational therapists or occupational therapy students, so long as ‘key points’ highlight the specific implications for occupational therapy, occupational therapists and/or occupational therapy students and/or consumers.