Optimising caseload management : developing an intervention in children's occupational therapy

This programme of research aimed: (1) to generate an evidence base about children’s occupational therapists’ caseload management (i.e. their behaviours related to assessment, treatment and discharging); (2) to build a model of caseload management behaviours; and (3) to design an evidence- and theory-based intervention to change key caseload management behaviours. Results: Step 1: The studies included data from 26 therapists, 7 parents and 154 case notes in six NHS services. The key behaviours were: therapists’ formulation of therapy goals and plans; agreement of these with clients; evaluation of progress; and active engagement of others. A range of therapists’ beliefs about the behaviours were identified. Step 2: The first three key behaviours and children’s length of time on caseload were specified as outcomes, with the proposed predictors consisting of the beliefs related to these. Step 3: Four clusters of behaviour change techniques were chosen and combined into an intervention entitled Good Goals. Conclusions: An evidence- and theory-based intervention to enhance children’s occupational therapists’ caseload management was developed. The next steps are to investigate its feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness. The intervention, if found effective, has potential to be applicable to other community healthcare professionals. The programme of research is an example of a systematic, reportable and evidence-based development of a complex intervention, with its methods likely to be acceptable to other projects. The model of caseload management has the potential to be used in community services to identify potential threats to efficient and equitable caseload management and provides an evidence- and theory-based foundation for future research in caseload management.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo