The need for occupational therapy and the level of familiarity with such services in primary healthcare institutions of Kaunas city

Aim. To evaluate the need for occupational therapy services and the level of familiarity with them in primary healthcare institutions of Kaunas city. Objectives: To determine the need for occupational therapy in family clinics of Kaunas city. To evaluate how well heads of primary healthcare units of Kaunas city are informed about occupational therapy. To present methods for the promotion of occupational therapy services in Lithuania. Methods The final version of the questionnaire consisted of 13 questions (11 questions were closed, and 2 – open). The inquiry was performed in 43 primary healthcare institutions of Kaunas city which had signed an agreement with Kaunas Territorial Patient Fund. In addition to that, a verbal interview was performed with Dr. S. Mingaila – an occupational therapist and the head of the Lithuanian Association of Occupational Therapists. Descriptive statistics was applied for statistical data analysis. Data processing was performed using “SPSS 12.0” and “Excel 2003” software packages. Results Only 1 out of 30 (3%) primary healthcare institutions of Kaunas city that were included into the inquiry had an occupational therapist. 14 (46.7%) of the respondents correctly answered the question “what is the specificity of an occupational therapist’s work? Only 4 (13.3%) respondents indicated all 3 correct answers to the question “with what patients does an occupational therapist work?” In 9 (30%) institutions where an occupational therapist applied for a job, patients inquired about the availability of occupational therapy services. Conclusions: Many primary healthcare institutions of Kaunas city need occupational therapists – in 16 (53.3%) institutions patients inquired about the availability of occupational therapy services, and in 17 (56.6%) units patients complaints were within the specific field of occupational therapy. Currently only one primary healthcare institution in Kaunas city employs an occupational therapist. Among the heads of the primary healthcare institutions of Kaunas city, 16 (53.3%) did not know about the specificity of an occupational therapist’s work, and only 4 (13.3%) correctly named all health disorders that were within the field of an occupational therapist’s practice. Promotion of occupational therapy services in Lithuania would most benefit from outdoor advertising as well as from advertising on the radio, in the press, and on the Internet. In healthcare units, such promotion could be carried out via poster stands, information leaflets, and information provided by family physicians. Patients with disability could be informed via post or by phone. Finally, occupational therapy services could be promoted via organized festivities and sports competitions. Practical recommendations Passing of favorable legislative acts. Increasing the financing of the services. Motivation of educational institutions engaged in the education and training of occupational therapists to find workplaces for their best students. To elect a council rather than one single person to head the Association. To organize the Occupational Therapy Week in Lithuani