Barriers and enablers to providing community-based occupational therapy to people with functional neurological disorder: An interview study with occupational therapists in the United Kingdom

Introduction Occupational therapists have an integral role in the treatment of people with functional neurological disorder, yet there is evidence of variable implementation of occupational therapy in community settings. This study explored the barriers and enablers to delivering community-based occ...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:The British journal of occupational therapy Vol. 85; no. 4; pp. 262 - 273
Main Authors: Nicholson, Clare, Francis, Jill, Nielsen, Glenn, Lorencatto, Fabiana
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.04.2022
Sage Publications Ltd
Subjects:
Barriers
Behavioral sciences
Clinical medicine
Community
Community service
Health services
Health status
Interviews
Job training
Medical treatment
Mental health
Multidisciplinary teams
Neurological disorders
Occupational roles
Occupational therapists
Occupational therapy
Physical therapists
Role clarity
Therapists
Therapy
United Kingdom > UK
Functional neurological disorder
rehabilitation
barriers and enablers
occupational therapy
ISSN:0308-0226, 1477-6006, 1477-6006
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Introduction Occupational therapists have an integral role in the treatment of people with functional neurological disorder, yet there is evidence of variable implementation of occupational therapy in community settings. This study explored the barriers and enablers to delivering community-based occupational therapy to people with functional neurological disorder in the United Kingdom. Methods Community-based neurological occupational therapists (n = 10) with experience in functional neurological disorder were invited to complete semi-structured qualitative interviews. The interview schedule and analysis were based on the Theoretical Domains Framework, a behavioural science tool for investigating barriers and enablers to clinical practice. Data were analysed using a combined content and framework analysis approach. Findings Important barriers to treatment included limited published information to guide practice, lack of professional role clarity and restricted multidisciplinary team working. Enablers included occupational therapists’ dual training in physical and mental health and focus on activity engagement. Service provision, quality and access varied across geographical locations. Conclusion Occupational therapists are uniquely placed to help people with functional neurological disorder; however, findings suggest that existing community service structures in many regions in the United Kingdom are inadequate and limit the quality of treatment that can be provided. Additional resources are required to support occupational therapy service provision in community settings.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-1
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-Feature-2
content type line 14
content type line 23
ISSN:0308-0226
1477-6006
1477-6006
DOI:10.1177/03080226211020658