Date of Award
2024
Document Type
Scholarly Project
Degree Name
Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)
Department
Occupational Therapy
First Advisor
Jessa Hulteng
Abstract
Purpose: Each year, 56.8 million people receive palliative care services and experience significant impacts overall quality of life. Occupational therapy is well-equipped to maximize engagement in meaningful activities and improve overall quality of life for this population. Despite evidence supporting the unique value of OT, it has had many barriers limiting the ability to expand into palliative care effectively. There is a need to provide education and increase resources to occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) in palliative care. The purpose of this scholarly project was to increase the understanding of OTs’ role in palliative care and promote increased OT services within this practice area by developing a toolkit for OTPs to utilize throughout the OT process.
Methodology: The Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) was the theoretical framework used to guide the development and implementation of this product. This was done through a thorough literature review and the completion of an extensive needs assessment. Findings from the literature review and needs assessment were analyzed and led to the decision to create a toolkit, “The Distinct Role: A Toolkit to Promote Occupational Therapy Services for Palliative Care Patients in Acute Care Hospitals” and a brief handout, “A Quick Guide to Occupational Therapy’s Role with the Palliative Care Population,” for OTPs to utilize as a resource during client sessions.
Results: It was hypothesized that there was a need for increased education and training on OTs’ role in palliative care. This was supported by the literature and needs assessment. In response to the need for increased education and training, an educational toolkit and brief handout were ix created to increase the knowledge of OTs’ role in palliative care and promote increased OT services within this practice area.
Conclusion: The Distinct Role: A Toolkit to Promote Occupational Therapy Services for Palliative Care Patients in Acute Care Hospitals addresses significant barriers and fills critical gaps that OTPs are undereducated and undertrained in their distinct role in palliative care. By providing an in-depth guide to OT practice in palliative care, this toolkit provides the education necessary for OTPs to increase their knowledge, skills, and training in this practice area and expand OT services for this population. This toolkit is a resource for current and future OTPs to expand this emerging practice area.
Recommended Citation
Squier, Kailey Ann, "The Distinct Role: A Toolkit To Promote Occupational Therapy Services For Palliative Care Patients In Acute Care Hospitals" (2024). Occupational Therapy Capstones. 602.
https://commons.und.edu/ot-grad/602