Novel Occupational Therapy Program (Step Up) to Facilitate the Transition from Early Intervention in Psychosis Services.

The purpose of this program evaluation was to examine preliminary outcomes associated with a novel stepdown program for clients of early intervention in psychosis services ("Step Up") that featured occupational therapy (OT) as a critical treatment component. Clients participated in Step Up for at least 6 months and were administered pre-post assessments of clinician-rated performance of daily living activities and self-perceived performance and satisfaction with daily occupational functioning. Paired samples Wilcoxon tests were used to compare outcomes across the two time points. Data from 23 participants of Step Up were analyzed. Clinician-rated performance of daily living (especially in the areas of money and time management and leisure engagement) and client-rated performance and satisfaction with daily occupational functioning improved significantly over time. Results demonstrate the promise of programs such as Step Up that capitalize on OT and promote functional outcomes during the transition from early intervention.

Occupational Therapy: A Potential Solution to the Behavioral Health Workforce Shortage.

Occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) are clinically prepared to treat patients with behavioral health conditions. Yet, many state and national policies defining qualified behavioral health providers do not include occupational therapy. In this Open Forum, the authors argue that OTPs should be considered qualified to work as behavioral health professionals, especially given the severe behavioral health workforce shortage in the United States. The authors summarize policy barriers preventing OTPs from working on behavioral health teams and the evidence to support their presence. They also propose a policy and advocacy agenda to include and recognize OTPs as members of the behavioral health workforce.

Implementation of occupational therapy within early intervention in psychosis services: Results from a national survey.

AIM: Occupational therapy plays an important role in fostering community participation in areas such as education, employment, leisure, and social relationships, yet its added value within early intervention in psychosis services, especially in the United States, remains poorly understood. The purpose of this research was to conduct a national survey of early intervention in psychosis programs to: (1) understand the role and unique contributions of occupational therapists to early intervention teams, and (2) identify barriers and supports to the implementation of occupational therapy services within these programs. METHODS: Fifty-one senior leaders from U.S.-based early intervention in psychosis programs participated in the national survey. The survey consisted of a series of closed and open-ended questions related to program staffing, the presence of specific services that fall within the occupational therapy scope of practice, and implementation barriers and supports. RESULTS: Despite there being strong interest in employing occupational therapists, a small proportion of programs (31%) reported having them on staff. Occupational therapists supported clients across multiple life areas and were significantly more likely than other team members to promote daily living activities (e.g., cooking) and to address sensory processing needs and challenges. Implementation was influenced by environmental/organizational and staff factors; the primary barrier was funding. CONCLUSIONS: Findings support the role occupational therapists may play in facilitating the community participation of clients of early intervention services, but significant barriers to implementation of occupational therapy services remain. Additional research is needed to further identify the impact of occupational therapy services within the early intervention model.