Are occupational therapists in hand therapy working in an occupation-centered way? A cross sectional survey

The dominance of the biomedical approach has previously caused a limited focus on occupation within hand therapy. This study aimed to investigate the rehabilitation offered to patients with a hand-related disorder (HRD) in Denmark including to determine the extent to which occupation-focused and/or occupation-based assessments and interventions are used and to identify barriers against their use.

A cross-sectional survey with 45 questions was conducted among members of the Danish Association for Hand Therapy. Data were analysed with descriptive statistics. Categorical variables were reported with frequency and percentage, and continuous variables with average and standard deviation.

One hundred and six occupational therapists working as hand therapists (n = 106) completed the survey. They reported common use of assessments measuring range of motion, pain, edema, and occupational performance. Occupational performance was assessed by non-standardized occupation-focused assessments, such as informal conversations. Exercise, pain management, and occupation-focused informal conversations were reported as the most frequently used interventions. Out of 82 respondents, 74 (91.4%) reported that they used interventions focused on body function and structures to the extent they wanted. Only 41 (50.0%) used occupation-focused or occupation-based interventions to the extent they wanted.

Assessments and interventions reporting body function and structure were used most frequently whereas assessments and interventions reporting activity and participation were used to a lesser extent. Occupation-focused assessments and interventions were used more commonly than occupation-based. Hand therapists considered occupation-based assessments and interventions to be important in rehabilitation after HRD, despite using them with few patients. Several barriers were reported regarding the implementation of an occupation-centered approach: habit, workload, time constraints, and setting.