Occupational Therapy Practitioners’ Implementation of Home Programs for Individuals Post Burn: An Initial Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract

Occupational therapy practitioners who care for individuals post burn often prescribe home programs to facilitate continued progress toward occupational therapy goals. This study identified the components included in home programs, how practitioners create and prescribe home programs, and perceived supports and barriers to adherence in this population. Thirty-nine practitioners employed at American Burn Association-verified centers completed an online survey. Results suggest that home programs are primarily designed to address range of motion with less emphasis on function. The highest-ranked barriers to adherence were pain and lack of motivation while the highest-ranked supports were client motivation and family/caregiver support. Practitioners reported using handouts and demonstration frequently for delivery, with infrequent use of technology. Recommendations for incorporating evidence-based strategies into home program creation and administration are included.

Keywords:

• Burns
• clinical practice
• home programs
• survey

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the occupational therapists who provided assistance reviewing the initial version of the survey prior to distribution.

Declaration of interest

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

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.

Notes on contributors

Ann B. Cook

Dr. Ann Cook is the Department Chairperson and Program Director for the Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program at Slippery Rock University. She earned her master’s degree in Occupational Therapy at Gannon University, her OTD from Chatham University, and her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Duquesne University. She practiced clinically in a level one trauma and burn center for ten years and completed a doctoral capstone project in that setting. Dr. Cook has completed scholarship in several areas including burn rehabilitation, pedagogical practices related to experiential learning, and student self-efficacy.

E. Donoso Brown

Dr. Elena Donoso Brown is an occupational therapist and associate professor at Duquesne University. She earned her Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Sciences from the University of Washington. Her clinical background is with individual post-stroke and traumatic brain injury during the acute phase of recovery. She has developed a research agenda around understanding and assessing ways to optimize the implementation of home programs for persons with acquired brain injury to increase adherence and improve outcomes. In addition, Dr. Donoso Brown teaches students in the program’s professional and advanced professional phases on evaluation/assessment, biomechanical intervention, and program development.

M. Hambrose

Mrs. Margaret Hambrose is a full-time occupational therapist working in an outpatient neurological setting. Mrs. Hambrose earned her master’s in occupational therapy from Duquesne University where she apprenticed as a student researcher under Drs. Cook and Donoso Brown. Mrs. Hambrose is currently enrolled at Quinnipiac University and plans to graduate in the spring of 2023 with her OTD.

J. Schreiber

Dr. James B. Schreiber is a Professor in the School of Nursing at Duquesne University. He received his doctorate in Learning and Cognition from Indiana University Bloomington. He has published over 65 articles in journals, such as Journal of Educational Psychology, Semiotica, and Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, along with chapters and reviews. In addition, he has over 120 national and international presentations. He is the author of a research methods book with Wiley and Sons, and a book on motivation with Springer.