Date Presented 03/28/20
Education of allied health professionals regarding OT services is essential for advocacy of the profession. This qualitative research project provides a feasible methodology as well as measurable outcome that is effective in improving both knowledge and confidence in making appropriate referrals to occupational or physical therapy.
Primary Author and Speaker: Hannah Oldenburg
BACKGROUND: For physicians, understanding the role of occupational therapy (OT) and physical therapy (PT) is crucial to ensure accuracy with patient referral as well as to optimize patient care. Medical students often do not receive sufficient education to prepare them to appropriately refer to occupational and physical therapy services as a physician.
PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of a medical school workshop educating students about the role of OT and PT.
METHOD: This study included 37 fourth-year medical school students who took part in an half-day workshop with education provided specific to the role and benefits of occupational and physical therapy. After the education was provided, students were given cases relevant to their chosen specialty to determine potential referral for occupational and/or physical therapy services. Students completed a pre- and post-test survey assessing perceived knowledge as well as their perspective on the value of the workshop as a future physician. A repeat survey was sent to the students at three months post workshop.
RESULTS: From pre workshop to post workshop, students demonstrated significant improvements (p<.001) in their familiarity with OT and PT services and in their confidence in appropriately referring to these services. Students demonstrated an excellent understanding of OT and PT services and were able to identify specific roles related to their case [3 month results]. The participants found this workshop to be helpful and meaningful to their future as a physician.
CONCLUSION: The tailored curriculum was effective at improving both knowledge and confidence in making appropriate referrals to occupational or physical therapy. In addition, this course appears to be beneficial for improving interprofessional competence prior to completing medical school didactic coursework.
References
American Occupational Therapy Association. (2015). Importance of interprofessional education in occupational therapy curricula. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 69 (Suppl. 3), 6913410020. http://diagnosis.doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2015.696S02
Fernandes, A., et.al. (2015). Dissecting through barriers: A mixed-methods study on the effect of interprofessional education in a dissection course with healthcare pofessional students, Anatomical Sciences Education, 8, 305-316.
You, P., et al. (2017). Current state of interprofessional education in Canadian medical schools: Findings from a national survey, Journal of Interprofessional Care, 8, 1-3.
