Community-based occupational therapy services for children: a Quebec survey on service delivery

Community-based occupational therapy (OT) services are intended to promote social integration and minimize disability. The objective of this study was to describe community-based OT services for children in the province of Quebec, Canada. Specific aims included (a) to determine the proportion of Centres Locaux de Services Communautaires (CLSCs) that provide OT services to children, (b) to describe the nature of the services offered, and (c) to identify factors that are associated with the availability of these services. Surveys were sent to all CLSCs where at least one OT was employed. The response rate was 80%. Only 12% of CLSCs offered OT services to children on a regular basis (> or = 1 day/week). Home adaptations were the most frequent service offered, whereas health promotion was rarely addressed. Perceived obstacles to servicing children included prioritization of services to the elderly, limited funding, and shortage of OTs. CLSCs in rural areas and those with a psychologist had significantly more dedicated OT time spent for services to children. The findings suggest that community-based OT services for children in Quebec are poorly developed, which may negatively impact upon timely access to specialized rehabilitation services and may increase activity limitations and family burden.