Occupational therapists’ perspectives on using the remotivation process with clients experiencing dementia

Abstract

Introduction

This qualitative study systematically examined occupational therapists’ use of a model of human occupation intervention, the Remotivation Process, for individuals with dementia.

Method

An international sample of therapists participated in an on-line survey and in-depth interviews, resulting in 33 respondents and eight participants, respectively. The survey gathered general information regarding therapists’ use of the Remotivation Process with persons experiencing dementia, and was used to recruit interview participants. Interviews were conducted using SKYPE or telephone, and were audio-recorded and transcribed. Descriptive statistics were derived from the survey results, and van Manen’s phenomenological approach was used to describe therapists’ experiences using the intervention.

Results

Use of the Remotivation Process for this population was most common among mid-career therapists, and a majority of respondents had been using the intervention less than two years. Three themes identified from the interviews were: (1) Therapist beliefs: Commitment to the Remotivation process; (2) Does it work? Evaluating success; (3) It's more than me: External factors.

Conclusion

Survey and interview data revealed that use of the Remotivation Process intervention for persons experiencing dementia is fairly complex yet clinically applicable. Therapists’ experiences of using the Remotivation Process underscored the importance of therapist volition and clinical reasoning in achieving desired outcomes.