Success Through Teamwork in the Home Health Setting: The Role of Occupational Therapy

Abstract

Since 2002 and the introduction of outcome-based quality improvement reports by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, all home health professionals have recognized a heightened importance in the measurement of change in the daily functioning of patients from onset to discharge of the agency's service. As health care professionals whose expertise focuses on safe and meaningful participation in occupations of daily living, occupational therapists can play a key role on the inter-disciplinary team in a home health care agency. This article outlines the potential benefits of expanding the role of the occupational therapist as an interdisciplinary team member and explores challenges and solutions to maximize collaborative opportunities with the occupational therapy practitioner in home health.