The integration of occupational therapy into primary care: a multiple case study design

BMC Family Practice

Research Article

Christie Brenchley¹  Lori Letts²  Catherine Donnelly³  Candace Crawford⁴ 

[1] Ontario Society of Occupational Therapists, 55 Eglinton Ave. E., Suite 210, M4P 1G8, Toronto, ON, Canada;School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University, 1400 Main St. W, L8S 1C7, Hamilton, ON, Canada;School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen’s University, 31 George Street, K7L 3N6, Kingston, ON, Canada;Faculty of Education, Queen’s University, 31 George Street, K7L 3N6, Kingston, ON, Canada;Wise Elephant Family Health Team, 280 Main Street North, L6V 1P6, Brampton, ON, Canada;

关键词: Inteprofessional primary care;    Collaboration;    Family health teams;    Multiple case study design;    Occupational therapy;    Integration;   

DOI  :  10.1186/1471-2296-14-60

 received in 2013-02-06, accepted in 2013-05-07,  发布年份 2013

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundFor over two decades occupational therapists have been encouraged to enhance their roles within primary care and focus on health promotion and prevention activities. While there is a clear fit between occupational therapy and primary care, there have been few practice examples, despite a growing body of evidence to support the role. In 2010, the province of Ontario, Canada provided funding to include occupational therapists as members of Family Health Teams, an interprofessional model of primary care. The integration of occupational therapists into this model of primary care is one of the first large scale initiatives of its kind in North America. The objective of the study was to examine how occupational therapy services are being integrated into primary care teams and understand the structures supporting the integration.MethodsA multiple case study design was used to provide an in-depth description of the integration of occupational therapy. Four Family Health Teams with occupational therapists as part of the team were identified. Data collection included in-depth interviews, document analyses, and questionnaires.ResultsEach Family Health Team had a unique organizational structure that contributed to the integration of occupational therapy. Communication, trust and understanding of occupational therapy were key elements in the integration of occupational therapy into Family Health Teams, and were supported by a number of strategies including co-location, electronic medical records and team meetings. An understanding of occupational therapy was critical for integration into the team and physicians were less likely to understand the occupational therapy role than other health providers.ConclusionWith an increased emphasis on interprofessional primary care, new professions will be integrated into primary healthcare teams. The study found that explicit strategies and structures are required to facilitate the integration of a new professional group. An understanding of professional roles, trust and communication are foundations for interprofessional collaborative practice.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Donnelly et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2013