Occupational therapy services in primary care: a scoping review.

Area of Science:

• Primary Care Research
• Health Services Research
• Occupational Therapy Practice

Background:

• Interprofessional primary care teams are evolving to meet demographic shifts and enhance care coordination.
• Occupational therapists (OTs) are positioned to significantly contribute to primary care settings.
• Developing evidence-based roles is crucial for OTs in primary care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and synthesize existing evidence on occupational therapy services within primary care.
• To describe the scope of practice and interventions provided by occupational therapists in primary care settings.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive scoping review of scientific and grey literature was performed.
• Inclusion criteria focused on studies describing OT roles and services in primary care for all ages and populations.
• The Canadian Model of Occupational Performance and Engagement framework guided data charting.

Main Results:

• The review identified 129 articles, comprising 62 non-research and 67 research-focused publications.
• Occupational therapists provided 268 distinct assessments and 868 interventions.
• Key interventions included community service navigation, chronic disease management, self-management education, health promotion, and falls prevention, primarily for adults and older adults.

Conclusions:

• Occupational therapy interventions are diverse and valuable within the primary care context.
• Further research and role development are needed to optimize OT contributions to primary care.
• Evidence supports the integration of occupational therapists into interprofessional primary care teams.