Utilization of Occupational Therapy in Mental Health Facilities in Western Pennsylvania

Abstract

This paper explores factors that are influencing the utilization of occupational therapists in mental health facilities in Western Pennsylvania from the perspective of administrators of mental health agencies. Administrators completed a 32 item survey. Descriptive statistics were compiled and inferential statistical analysis compared group means by type of facility, employment of occupational therapy personnel, awareness of occupational therapy education, and perceptions of occupational therapy role responsibilities. The results suggest that occupational therapists are being under-utilized in community mental health facilities in Western Pennsylvania and are more likely to be employed in hospitals. Psychosocial services traditionally considered in the domain of occupational therapy are being delivered by both professional and non-professional staff. Practitioners in mental health facilities were most likely to be providing direct service and least likely to consult, train other staff, or offer case management services. Finally, some practitioners who are employed in mental health settings are more likely to be addressing neurological, sensorimotor, and cognitive performance components than psychosocial performance components. The data suggest that employers of occupational therapists do not always have a clear idea of the major roles and functions of occupational therapy practitioners and that occupational therapy has inadequately marketed their services to mental health agencies. Implications for these findings are discussed.

Key Words:

• Mental health education
• utilization of practitioners
• professional advocacy