Return to Work After Stroke: A Survey of Occupational Therapy Practice Patterns

Abstract

This descriptive study, consisting of a survey followed by semi-structured interviews, sought to describe the practice patterns and perceived competencies of occupational therapy practitioners in the provision of return to work (RTW) services for stroke survivors. Respondents (n = 119) were mostly occupational therapists (95%) working in outpatient settings (61%); 47% reported a caseload of mostly stroke survivors; and most addressing RTW (60%). Respondents focused predominantly on remediation of cognitive and physical skills and less on actual work performance and supports. Respondents assert occupational therapy’s role in RTW for stroke survivors but generally reported limited competencies and low utilization of evidence-based approaches and theoretical models when addressing RTW. Systems, organizational support, and practitioner factors emerged as barriers and facilitators to RTW service provision. This study suggests there may be a critical gap in practitioners’ RTW competencies with profound implications for entry-level education, professional development, advocacy, and research.

Keywords:

• Occupational therapy
• practice patterns
• return to work
• stroke
• interprofessionalism

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank all who participated in this study especially those who participated in the follow up interviews.

Declaration of interest

This study was completed by the first author under the mentorship of Dr. Salvador Bondoc as fulfillment of Quinnipiac University’s post-professional doctoral capstone requirement.