Date Presented 04/04/2025
In this poster, clinicians will explore the literature to determine the nature of OT services in end-of-life care.
Primary Author and Speaker: Melanie Evangelista
Additional Authors and Speakers: Tamara Henry, Tameka Sumter, Chasstity Smith-Brown, Rachel Celestin
PURPOSE: End-of-life care (EoLC) is characterized by a client-centered approach, helping individuals with life-limiting conditions prioritize their desires and needs to lead a more fulfilled life (Pizzi, 2015). While the literature discusses occupational therapy’s (OT) potential role in EoLC, including fostering occupational engagement and social participation, employing energy conservation strategies, and prioritizing positioning, there seems to be a gap in OTs carrying out these services with this population (Kessner & Hitch, 2022). This gap is exacerbated by the fact that OT is often underutilized in hospice care due to factors including reimbursement challenges, referral timing, and other hospice professionals misunderstanding of OTs role (Knecht-Sabres et al., 2018). How does the literature explain the nature of OT services in EoLC?
DESIGN: Scoping review following Arksey and O’Malley (2005).
METHOD: Electronic databases included PubMed, PsychINFO, and CINAHL and the inclusion criteria was set for patients/clients receiving EoLC, discussed OTs role in this life-stage, Full-text, English, for 2023–2013. Exclusionary criteria included EoLC discussions with children. Four reviewers independently screened titles, abstracts, and full text.
RESULT: Of 248 articles identified, 23 studies were included. The findings of this review support previous research indicating that OT is associated with positive overall wellbeing with individuals receiving EoLC, (Kessner & Hitch, 2022) however there is an underuse of OT services. This underuse is exacerbated by barriers to service including the lack of specialized training, financial resources, and referrals for OT (Keesing & Rosenwax, 2013).
CONCLUSION: By increasing access to education and training about OTs role in EoLC with continuing education resources, entry-level OT coursework, and fieldwork experiences as well as advocating for referrals within palliative and hospice settings, OTs can fulfill their role within EoLC.
References
Pizzi M. A. (2015). Promoting health and well-being at the end of life through client-centered care. Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 22(6), 442–449. https://doi.org/10.3109/11038128.2015.1025834
Keesing, S. & Rosenwax, L. (2013). Establishing a role for occupational therapists in end-of-life care in Western Australia. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 60(5), 370–373. https://doi.org/10.1111/1440-1630.12058
Kessner, K., & Hitch, D. (2022). Development of an evidence-informed education package for occupational therapists for palliative and end of life care: promoting occupational justice. Brazilian Journal of Occupational Therapy / Cadernos Brasileiros de Terapia Ocupacional, 30, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1590/2526-8910.ctoRE23883117
Knecht-Sabres, L. J., Weppner, A., Powers, C., & Siesel, B. (2019). Do health-care professionals really understand the role of occupational therapy in hospice care? American Journal of Hospice & Palliative Medicine, 36(5), 379–386. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049909118812858
