Innovation to action: marketing occupational therapy

The conflicted practice: Municipal occupational therapists' experiences with assessment of clients with cognitive impairments

BACKGROUND

The practice of Norwegian occupational therapists (OTs) in municipal practice is a little explored area and with the Coordination Reform Act from 2012, Norwegian OTs in municipal practice have received responsibilities concerning clients with cognitive impairments. The aim of this study was to explore municipal OTs experiences with assessment of clients with cognitive impairments.

METHOD

Fourteen individual interviews with OTs who worked with clients with cognitive impairments, were conducted. An inductive thematic analysis, using text condensation and coding, was performed.

RESULTS

The results revealed three themes; power of occupation, advantages and disadvantages of assessments used and the need for competencies within municipal services. The participants emphasized using observation in the assessment process and reflected on pros and cons of the standardized assessment tools they used. They expressed a need for competence development, although it was difficult to prioritize to do so.

CONCLUSION

This study illustrated a conflicted practice related to choices OTs make in their practices. They valued the importance of working occupation based, however, they chose to use impairment based standardized assessments. They expressed a need to engage in professional development, but due to heavy workloads, the limited power they experienced and lack of knowledge, this was difficult.

Marketing Occupational Therapy: Everybody's Business

Government reforms in the United Kingdom are introducing elements of choice and competition to the provision of health and social care. Responsibility for marketing occupational therapy rests with individual practitioners and managers through a client-centred approach to service delivery. There is a need for the profession to support the development of a range of marketing skills. This will equip services to manage more effectively with the uncertainties of the health care environment. It may be timely to consider a multiprofessional marketing approach with other allied health professionals in order to put the professions ahead in the market and able to seize opportunities for innovation.