Occupational Therapy Embedded Within Pulmonary Rehabilitation: A Process Evaluation

Exploration of the impact and contributions of occupational therapy within multidisciplinary pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is necessary to strengthen the clinical evidence-base. The objective of this study was to describe occupational therapy embedded within a community-based PR program and explore mechanisms of impact. A process evaluation of occupational therapy practice embedded within an 8-week multidisciplinary PR was conducted. Data sources included administrative and medical record data, intervention checklists, and semi-structured interviews incorporating the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure and Modified Borg Dyspnea Scale. Nine participants completed the PR program. The home visit and personalized, one-to-one, occupation-centered interventions were identified as key mechanisms of impact. Goal-directed training occurred within the home but not in community clinic environments. The repetitive, occupation-based training was important for learning and everyday application and promoted application of multidisciplinary learning. This evaluation highlighted that individualized occupational therapy assisted PR patients to apply knowledge, from occupational therapy and other disciplines, to real-life challenges.