The Perceptions of Different Disciplines on Early Childhood Interprofessional Teams Involving Occupational Therapy Services

Abstract

This phenomenological study was conducted to explore how professionals identify the roles of occupational therapy practitioners and other pediatric professionals on early childhood interprofessional teams. The use of surveys and interviews revealed three themes: 1) the role of occupational therapy encompasses more than what is perceived to be their role, 2) collaboration must be initiated, as it can be influenced by the setting, and 3) different professionals have the shared goal of promoting child health outcomes, but conflict can arise during collaboration. It was recognized that early childhood professionals would like to collaborate more with each member on the interprofessional team, but external influences and different settings for providing early childhood services may impact the ability to collaborate. This study discusses implications for occupational therapy professionals working in early childhood and the possibilities for future research.