Exploring occupation-based practice among occupational therapists in hospitals and rehabilitation institutions

While occupational therapists value occupation-based practice, they appear to spend less time on this approach and more time on impairment-based practices. Several barriers are reported for the occupation-based approach.

To explore different aspects of occupation-based practice among occupational therapists working in hospitals and rehabilitation institutions, and to examine associations between sociodemographic factors, barriers, and occupation-based practice.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted. Participants were occupational therapists working in hospitals and rehabilitation institutions in Norway. The data were analysed with descriptive statistics and logistic regression.

The therapists (n = 124) valued occupation-based practice and reported using it frequently and to a large extent. Relatively small proportions of their practice (26% assessments and 38% interventions) were classified as occupation-based. Lack of time, space and equipment were reported as large barriers. Lack of time and lack of equipment were associated with low self-reported level of occupation-based practice.

The participants valued occupation-based practice, while the reported assessment and intervention methods were mainly not occupation-based. Several barriers were reported, and some were associated with less use of occupation-based practice.

The results can be used to raise awareness of occupational therapists' use of occupation-based practice and barriers to this approach.