Occupational Therapy Practitioners’ Perceptions of Providing Services for the Acute Postpartum Population

Abstract

Occupational therapy practitioners’ (OTP’s) perceptions of their role in working on the acute postpartum hospital unit are unknown. The objective of this research was to determine the perspectives of OTP’s enrolled in a continuing education course to gain competency in providing services to acute postpartum patients. Investigators engaged in a phenomenology consisting of semi-structured interviews with six OTP’s working in acute care hospitals preparing to work on the postpartum unit. Three themes emerged from transcripts: (a) Its’ Not THAT Different; (b) Willing To Try; and (c) Shifting Focus To Mom. OTPs working in hospitals identified existing skills applicable to working with acute postpartum patients, a need for additional learning to enhance competence, and a desire to focus support for the birthing person to improve maternal outcomes. Hospital onboarding and/or entry-level OTP programs should consider including education on the postpartum population. Future research should focus on program implementation on acute postpartum hospital units.

Plain Language Summary

Occupational Therapy Practitioners Perceptions of Providing Services for the Acute Postpartum Population

Gaps and deficiencies in maternal health are prevalent in the United States. Occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) may be well-poised to improve postpartum outcomes within the -are setting. This research seeks to understand the perceptions and beliefs of acute hospital OTPs preparing to work in the acute postpartum hospital unit. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with OTPs registered to take a continuing education course to gain competency in working with postpartum patients in the acute care setting. Interviews revealed three themes representing the perceptions of the OTP’s: (a) Its’ Not THAT Different; (b) Willing To Try; and (c) Shifting Focus To Mom. OTP’s identified existing skills applicable to the postpartum population while seeking out additional competency, and emphasizing the importance of the birthing person. Considerations for OTP education and hospital onboarding practices are discussed.