The Use of Occupation-Based Interventions in Long-Term Care: A Qualitative Study

Purpose: To explore occupational therapists\u27 use of occupation- based interventions in long-term care facilities. Methodology: A literature review was completed on the use and effect occupation-based intervention has within a long-term care practice setting. Based upon the findings of this literature review, a qualitative research study was conducted using a grounded theory approach adopted from Strauss and Corbin (1998). Six occupational therapists working in long-term care facilities in Minnesota were recruited through purposive sampling using convenience and snowballing techniques. Each participant was interviewed once using a semi-structured interview. Data from the interviews was then coded and grouped into categories. Themes emerged from the categories and represented participants’ use and perception of occupation-based interventions in long-term care. Results: The data revealed five categories including participants’ focus of current interventions, barriers to occupation-based interventions, occupation-based intervention characteristics, participants’ perception of job, and facilitators of occupation-based interventions. From these categories, three themes were developed: 1) varying degrees in understanding of occupation-based intervention, 2) complexity of long-term care practice setting, and 3) impact of reimbursement on occupational therapy services. Two assertions emerged from the categories and themes. The first assertion was occupational therapists could benefit from additional knowledge regarding the application of occupation-based interventions in practice. The second assertion was, given the complexity of the longterm care practice setting, occupational therapists could benefit from strategies to overcome barriers that are present for implementing occupation-based interventions. Discussion & Recommendations: Although there were varying degrees in understanding of occupation-based intervention, participants reported functional and purposeful tasks provide clients with success and greater life satisfaction. The results of this study indicate the need for further and continued education on current occupational therapy language regarding the understanding and use of occupation-based interventions in long-term care. Additionally, therapists working in long-term care could benefit from implementing occupation-based model-driven therapy to assist with providing occupation-based intervention from evaluation to discharge. Future research is suggested to increase the strength of the current findings, and provide occupational therapists with evidence supporting the use of occupation-based interventions and how they affect the care provided in long-term care. Additionally, research that focuses on the client’s perception of occupationa