The multidisciplinary treatment plan: a format for enhancing activity therapy department involvement

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Therapy
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Activity therapy disciplines are integral to psychiatric care.
• Multidisciplinary treatment planning requires clear communication and defined roles.
• Current documentation methods may not fully capture activity therapy's contribution.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and implement a structured, goal-oriented format for activity therapy.
• To enhance the integration of activity therapy into multidisciplinary treatment planning.
• To improve patient understanding and participation in their therapeutic journey.

Main Methods:

• Adaptation of the problem-oriented record (POR) format.
• Implementation of formal procedures for identifying problems, goals, methods, and objectives.
• Application within a large private psychiatric teaching hospital setting.

Main Results:

• Facilitated development of specific, measurable, attainable functional goals.
• Increased accountability in treatment planning and delivery.
• Reduced documentation time and enhanced staff education on activity therapy's role.
• Improved patient comprehension of goals and increased engagement in therapy.

Conclusions:

• The structured format enhances activity therapy's role in psychiatric treatment planning.
• This approach leads to more effective goal setting and patient involvement.
• It promotes interdisciplinary collaboration and optimizes therapeutic outcomes.