Please discuss how you incorporate occupation-based interventions in this setting.
In this outpatient hand clinic, it is not overly easy to incorporate true occupation-based interventions into treatment sessions. Typically, we work on recovery of ROM and strength prior to doing functional activities, and often that will use most, if not all, of allowed sessions covered by third party payers. We do, however, have some occupation-based activities we use, although these may not be completely specific to an individual patient’s goals.
Describe two issues that limit your ability to use occupation-based interventions and discuss strategies that could be used to minimize these barriers.
The main barrier to using occupation-based interventions would be time, or allowed number of therapy sessions, i.e. enough coverage of services. This barrier can be minimized depending on the extent/severity of injury, which is not within our control.
Another barrier to using occupation-based interventions is limited facility space and materials. THT is a very small clinic, and we only have one cabinet available for storage of items used for interventions. We do not have a functional kitchen, and many of the goals patients set are for sporting activities, such as biking, rock climbing, and skiing, which are difficult to simulate in a small clinic. This barrier could be minimized by enlarging the clinic to accommodate larger treatment options.
Please refer to the table below and fill out the information under the table regarding the demographics of your treatment sessions in this setting.
For the Demographics of Treatment Sessions specify the Percent for each of the following statements:
Considering an eight hour day, what percentage of your interventions would you describe as:
Occupation-based activities i.e., play, shopping, ADL, IADL, work, school activities, etc. (within client’s own context with his or her goals) __10_____%
Purposeful activities (therapeutic context leading to occupation) ___40_____%
Preparatory methods i.e., sensory, PAMs, splinting, exercise, etc. (preparation for occupation-based activity) ___50_____%