An Exploration into Occupation-Centered Practice in Skilled Nursing Facilities

ABSTRACT

Aims: The aims of this pilot study were to identify occupational therapy interventions provided to short-term rehabilitation clients at skilled nursing facilities and to determine if therapists engaged clients in interventions with an occupation-centered approach. Methods: This study utilized a prospective mixed methods design with in-depth observations of two occupational therapists and three clients. Field notes, schematic drawings, and the Occupation-Centered Intervention Assessment documented and captured 57 interventions. Results: Provision of interventions occurred primarily in the clinic (36/57), with exercise and rote practice as the most common intervention approach (26/57), and interventions that utilized occupation were rated higher on the OCIA indicating a more occupation-centered approach. Conclusions: More than half of the interventions did not involve the use or focus on occupation, indicating a gap between theoretical frameworks and interventions taught in professional school and what actually occurs in practice.

KEYWORDS:

• Occupational therapy
• occupation-based
• geriatric rehabilitation
• occupation-centered intervention assessment

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge Cassandra Swartzer, Danielle Grall, and Cortney Sebolt who served as graduate assistants during the research study.