Economic Evidence in Occupational Therapy: A Rapid Review

Area of Science:

• Health Economics
• Occupational Therapy Research

Background:

• Demonstrating the value of occupational therapy services is essential for resource allocation.
• A comprehensive understanding of the existing economic evidence base is necessary.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a rapid review of economic evidence related to occupational therapy interventions.
• To synthesize and appraise the quality of available economic studies.

Main Methods:

• Systematic search of SCOPUS database for economic analyses of occupational therapy interventions published after 1999.
• Synthesis of findings and quality appraisal using the Quality of Health Economic Studies (QHES) template.

Main Results:

• 135 studies from 23 countries were identified, frequently involving adults/older adults in various settings and conditions like cerebrovascular accident and orthopaedic issues.
• Occupational therapy's role was specified in 60% of studies; 50% used randomized controlled trials and cost-effectiveness analysis; 40% adopted a societal economic perspective.
• The average QHES score was 74.4/100, indicating reasonable quality of the included economic studies.

Conclusions:

• The review identified strengths and gaps in the economic evidence for occupational therapy.
• Continued generation of economic evidence specifically detailing occupational therapy's contribution is recommended.
• Strategic alignment of future economic research is advised to maximize the impact of occupational therapy services.