Characteristics of community-based occupational therapy: Results of a norwegian survey.

Background: Ongoing changes in healthcare delivery systems in Norway increasingly require community-based services, and the changes will likely affect the working conditions and opportunities for occupational therapists.Aim: To characterize occupational therapy in community-based practice in Norway.Material and methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive survey design was applied using a questionnaire related to personal and organizational characteristics. Participants (n = 561) were recruited among community-working occupational therapists in Norway registered as members of Ergoterapeutene. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics.Results: The majority of the participants was female and had an average of 16.5 years of professional experience. They reported to spend about half of their working hours on direct work with clients. For many, work with assistive technology was a main task, accounting for approximately half their working hours. Only a small proportion worked in municipalities that had merged with others, but for a larger proportion (27%) a merger had been decided and was in preparation.Conclusion: This study established some basic information regarding Norwegian community-based occupational therapy and the municipalities where occupational therapists work.Significance: With this study serving as a baseline, we may be able to track how changes will affect community-based occupational therapy practice in the near future.

Involvement in Research and Development Projects Among Community-working Occupational Therapists in Norway.

A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted (n = 561). Almost half of the participants took part in research and development projects. Being involved in research and development was associated with lower age, having further education, and higher levels of work experience. The current and prioritized research topics were reablement and assistive technology. The study implies that community-working occupational therapists are largely involved in research and development, or eager to become involved.

Community-based occupational therapy in Norway: Content, dilemmas, and priorities.

BACKGROUND: Profound changes in municipal health services, are calling for new models for community-based occupational therapy services. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to explore how Norwegian occupational therapists position themselves in relation to the tasks delivered. METHOD: Focus group interviews were conducted with ten community-based occupational therapists. Systematic text condensation was then used in the data analysis. RESULTS: Norwegian occupational therapists description of professional practices can be constructed into four ideal types; being 'the all-rounder', 'the provider of assistive device', 'the fire extinguisher', or 'the innovator'. The ideal types can help us understand more of the content and dilemmas that community-based occupational therapists encountered in their daily practice, and the priorities they make during these encounters. CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE: Community-based occupational therapists positioned themselves in different ways, and some of these positions were considered to be more favourable than others. The therapists struggled between 'traditional' occupational therapy tasks and new ways of delivering occupational therapy services. The study reveals similarities and differences between rural and urban occupational therapy practice. The ideal types can help community-based therapists to reflect on their own practice and empower them to be more in keeping with the OT's objectives and preferences.

Perceived Influence on Service Goals Among Community-Working Occupational Therapists in Norway.

AIM: This study aimed to assess the perceived influence that community-working occupational therapists in Norway have on the service goals of their respective organizations. In addition, we aimed to assess sociodemographic and work-related factors associated with the perceived level of influence. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was distributed to occupational therapists in community-based services in Norway (n = 1767), to which 561 (32%) responded. By multivariate regression analysis, factors associated with "self-perceived influence" were assessed. RESULTS: After controlling for all variables, having a master's degree ( ß = 0.09, P < .05), being involved in a research and development project ( ß = 0.25, P < .001), and not working with assistive technology ( ß = -0.19, P < .001) were associated with higher perceived influence. CONCLUSIONS: For occupational therapy to reach its potential in Norwegian community-based health care, the profession needs to establish itself more firmly and increase its influence within the health care services. To do so, it appears important to support occupational therapists' educational aspirations, their participation in research and development projects, and their autonomous role in relation to the provision of assistive technology equipment.