Participant evaluation of an inpatient occupational therapy groups programme in brain injury rehabilitation

Background/aim: Therapy groups are commonly used inbrain injury rehabilitation yet patient perceptions of par-ticipation in groups are largely uninvestigated. This paperdescribes the occupational therapy groups programme atan inpatient brain injury rehabilitation unit and presentsan evaluation from the patient’s perspective.Methods: Participants were in patients with traumaticbrain injury who participated in the groups programmeand completed a customised self-report questionnaire mea-suring perceptions about and satisfaction with four occu-pational therapy groups. Data were analysed descriptivelyand comparisons made between groups with a functionalfocus (meal preparation and community access) and animpairment focus (cognitive and upper limb) using Zscores.Results: Thirty-five participants (30 males, five females)completed a total of 83 questionnaires. Over 90% ofresponses agreed or strongly agreed that working withothers was enjoyable, that the groups provided feedbackand individualised treatment, and were useful for them.There were no significant differences in perceptions aboutthe functional and impairment-focussed groups. An illus-trative case example of participation in the groupsprogramme is presented.Conclusions: Overall, consumer feedback on differentaspects of the occupational therapy groups programme inbrain injury rehabilitation was positive. Further in-depthinvestigation of patient perceptions of groups includingprocesses that facilitate or challenge participation is war-ranted