Occupational Therapists' Beliefs and Experiences Managing Chronic Pain, Wellness, and Occupational Performance

Area of Science:

• Occupational therapy
• Pain rehabilitation
• Chronic disease management

Background:

• Occupational therapy (OT) is increasingly focused on chronic disease prevention, health, and wellness.
• Occupational therapists are integral to multidisciplinary pain management teams, aiming to improve occupational performance.
• Their role involves supporting clients' participation and overall well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate occupational therapists' experiences in managing chronic pain.
• To explore the effectiveness of OT interventions in supporting client wellness and occupational performance.
• To understand the impact of OTs within holistic, multidisciplinary pain management settings.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study involving eleven occupational therapists (OTs).
• Data collection focused on OTs' experiences with chronic pain management.
• Thematic analysis was used to identify key themes.

Main Results:

• Three primary themes emerged: chronic pain, interventions, and holistic teams.
• OTs demonstrated success in treating chronic pain and supporting wellness.
• Effective interventions were health-promoting and encouraged client self-management.

Conclusions:

• Occupational therapists play a critical role in multidisciplinary pain management.
• OT interventions positively impact clients' occupational performance, wellness, and quality of life.
• Empowering clients in their pain management journey is key to successful outcomes.