Occupational Therapy Embedded Within Pulmonary Rehabilitation: A Process Evaluation

Abstract

Exploration of the impact and contributions of occupational therapy within multidisciplinary pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is necessary to strengthen the clinical evidence-base. The objective of this study was to describe occupational therapy embedded within a community-based PR program and explore mechanisms of impact. A process evaluation of occupational therapy practice embedded within an 8-week multidisciplinary PR was conducted. Data sources included administrative and medical record data, intervention checklists, and semi-structured interviews incorporating the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure and Modified Borg Dyspnea Scale. Nine participants completed the PR program. The home visit and personalized, one-to-one, occupation-centered interventions were identified as key mechanisms of impact. Goal-directed training occurred within the home but not in community clinic environments. The repetitive, occupation-based training was important for learning and everyday application and promoted application of multidisciplinary learning. This evaluation highlighted that individualized occupational therapy assisted PR patients to apply knowledge, from occupational therapy and other disciplines, to real-life challenges.

Plain Language Summary

Occupational therapy in pulmonary rehabilitation

A team of health professionals provide rehabilitation programs in the community for people with lung and breathing problems. Occupational therapists are one member of the health team. This article aims to describe what occupational therapists do in the programs and how they do it. People with lung and breathing problems who attended a program were asked about their experiences and thoughts on occupational therapy. They said they valued the one-to-one sessions with the occupational therapists and, the ability to practice everyday tasks with them really helped participants learn how to do everyday tasks more easily. Participants also reported occupational therapy helped to connect the information they learned from all health professionals in a meaningful, everyday way. Although this is important, only a small group of people who attended one program were asked. More research is needed to be certain of these findings.