Occupational Therapists' Current Use of Independent Living Skills Training for Adult Inpatients Who Are Physically Disabled

Abstract

Achievement of independent living skills training is described as the foundation for successful role enactment which is a fundamental concept of occupational science. A review of the literature suggests that this is the most needed and least addressed service for those persons who are physically disabled and living in the community. A research study was designed and a survey conducted to determine the (current) use of independent living skills training by occupational therapists who were practicing in rehabilitation settings with adults who were physically disabled. The results showed that the occupational therapists participating in the survey spent an average of 14.1 percent of their direct treatment time providing this training. This was considered to be a low amount by a panel of experts convened to provide content validity for this study. The results of the study and implications for occupational therapy are discussed.