Occupational therapy practices among unemployed people in Finland

Area of Science:

• Occupational therapy
• Public health
• Social work

Background:

• Unemployment significantly impacts occupational well-being.
• Occupational therapy's role with unemployed populations in Finland is under-researched.
• Current services may limit the integration of occupational perspectives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore occupational therapists' current practices with unemployed individuals in Finland.
• To identify potential areas for developing occupational therapy services for the unemployed.

Main Methods:

• Phenomenographic research approach.
• Data collection through focus groups and interviews.

Main Results:

• Identified occupational therapy working methods: Assessing, Coaching, and Collaborating.
• Suggested practice development through Adapting, Increasing awareness, and Advocating.
• Occupational therapists engage late in unemployment, acting as gatekeepers.

Conclusions:

• Occupational therapists' late engagement limits preventive and integrated care.
• There is a need for more adaptive, awareness-focused, and advocacy-driven approaches.
• Occupational therapy can bridge health, social, and employment services, but client perspectives are needed.