Is occupation missing from occupational therapy in palliative care?

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Health Services Research

Background:

• The role and services of occupational therapists in palliative care in Western Australia (WA) are under-documented.
• There is limited understanding of the needs of dying individuals and their carers regarding occupational therapy services.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify occupational therapists' employment and service range in WA palliative care.
• To explore the daily experiences of dying individuals and carers concerning self-care, leisure, and productive roles.
• To identify potential occupational therapy services for this population.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study employing semi-structured interviews with 14 occupational therapists and 14 carers (metro and rural).
• Grounded theory and constant comparison methods were used for data analysis.

Main Results:

• Four key themes emerged: occupational deprivation due to disengagement from activities, disempowerment within services, inadequate focus on 'occupation', and occupational therapist frustration over limited contribution.
• These themes highlight significant challenges impacting both patients and their carers.

Conclusions:

• The study identifies critical gaps in palliative care service provision for dying individuals and their carers in WA.
• It advocates for an occupation-focused approach by occupational therapists to better serve this vulnerable population.