Occupational therapy practitioners’ experiences with interprofessional collaborative practice

ABSTRACT

Although occupational therapists engage as part of interprofessional healthcare teams, explicit investigation into their experiences of interprofessional collaborative practice (IPCP) has not been explored. This study evaluated occupational therapists in the United States experiences of IPCP with additional inquiry into which healthcare professionals occupational therapy practitioners interact with and how they engage in collaboration, during IPCP. An exploratory cross-sectional study was conducted using an online survey; 142 occupational therapy practitioners responded. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and bivariate analyses; open-ended responses underwent consensual qualitative analysis. Participants reported most often engaging in IPCP with physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, nurses, physicians, and case managers, although variations in the top five professions were evident between practice settings. In addition, 82% of the respondents reported either feeling prepared or very prepared for IPCP after completing their pre-licensed educational programs. Two qualitative themes have emerged to describe key education-oriented and practice-oriented interprofessional experiences. To further enhance engagement in and preparedness for IPCP, occupational therapy professionals, and students may benefit from interprofessional training that involves the professions most often encountered during clinical practice. This type of learning could foster an understanding of communication and teamwork, thus enhancing readiness to participate in the IPCP team upon transition to practice.

KEYWORDS:

• Interprofessional collaborative practice
• occupational therapy
• survey

Disclosure statement

The first and second authors have both received grants to work on other projects related to interprofessional education.

Additional information

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Notes on contributors

Elena V. Donoso Brown

Elena Donoso Brown is an Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy at Duquesne University in the Rangos School of Health Sciences. Dr. Donoso Brown has a history of interprofessional collaborations regarding the evaluation and treatment of individuals with neurogenic disorders as well as interprofessional education.

Sarah Manspeaker

Sarah Manspeaker is an Associate Professor of Athletic Training at Duquesne University in the Rangos School of Health Sciences. Dr. Manspeaker is the co-chair for the Interprofessional Education Collaborative Committee at the university where she conducts research on learning outcomes associated with interprofessional education and collaborative practice.

Meghan G. Blaskowitz

Meghan Blaskowitz is an Associate Professor in the Occupational Therapy Department at Duquesne University in the Rangos School of Health Sciences. Dr. Blaskowitz works at the intersection of occupational therapy and public health. Her research interests include the identification of health, education, and employment disparities among people with IDD and inclusive post-secondary education.

Kira Bratton

Kira Bratton is an Occupational Therapist who graduated with her Master’s Degree from Duquesne University in 2022. She is currently working full time in Tampa, Florida with the geriatric population, their families, and an interprofessional care team to enhance the lives of her residents and facilitate independence through a multi-disciplinary approach to skilled treatment.