Stroke survivors experience sensory impairments that significantly limit upper-limb functional use. Lack of clear research-based guidelines about their management exacerbates the uncertainty in occupational therapists’ decision making to support these clients.
Purpose.
This study explores occupational therapists’ clinical decision making regarding upper-limb, post-stroke sensory impairments that can ultimately inform approaches to support therapists working with such clients.
Method.
Twelve therapists participated in a qualitative descriptive study. Transcripts of semi-structured interviews were analyzed using content analysis.
Findings.
Three overarching categories were identified: deciding on the focus of interventions (describing intervention choices), it all depends (outlining factors considered when choosing interventions), and managing uncertainty in decision making (describing uncertainty and actions taken to resolve it).
Implications.
Providing training about post-stroke sensory impairment and decision making may improve therapists’ decision making and ultimately improve client outcomes. Further research is needed to understand the impact of uncertainty on occupational therapy decision making and resulting care practices.
Description.
Les personnes ayant survécu à un accident vasculaire cérébral (AVC) ont des déficits sensoriels qui limitent considérablement l’usage fonctionnel du membre supérieur atteint. Le manque de directives claires et basées sur la recherche en matière d’intervention exacerbe l’incertitude des ergothérapeutes lorsqu’ils doivent prendre des décisions pour aider ces clients.
But.
Cette étude examine les prises de décisions cliniques des ergothérapeutes en ce qui concerne les déficits sensoriels au membre supérieur à la suite d’un AVC, dans le but d’orienter les approches visant à soutenir les ergothérapeutes travaillant avec ce genre de clients.
Méthodologie.
Douze ergothérapeutes ont participé à une étude qualitative descriptive. Les transcriptions des entrevues semi-structurées ont été analysées à l’aide d’une analyse du contenu.
Résultats.
Trois catégories principales ont été repérées : Décider de l’objectif principal des interventions (décrivant les choix des interventions), Cela dépend (exposant les facteurs pris en considération lors du choix des interventions), et Gérer l’incertitude lors de la prise de décisions (décrivant l’incertitude et les mesures prises pour y faire face).
Conséquences.
Une formation sur les déficits sensoriels à la suite d’un AVC et sur la prise de décision peut améliorer le processus décisionnel des ergothérapeutes et, éventuellement, améliorer les résultats des clients. D’autres recherches devront être menées pour comprendre les effets de l’incertitude sur la prise de décision en ergothérapie et sur les pratiques résultantes en matière de soins.
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