Title : Perceptions of oncology professionals leading to lack of occupational therapy referrals: Practical strategies to reduce gaps in care
Abstract:
Background: Persons living with and beyond cancer (PLWBC) can benefit from rehabilitation to ameliorate functional deterioration and enhance daily participation. There is increasing evidence of the effectiveness of Occupational Therapy (OT) interventions for PLWBC. However, limited understanding of OT role in cancer care negatively impacts the provision of services, referrals, and collaboration with other healthcare professionals. Therefore, exploring oncology healthcare professionals' perspectives will provide deeper understanding about barriers and facilitators for referrals to OT. This study aimed to explore the perceptions and knowledge of healthcare professionals regarding the role of OT in oncology and what resources are needed to optimize PLWBC's to OT.
Methods: Qualitative multiple explanatory case study design with focus groups was conducted. Two researchers analyzed data using a grounded theory approach. A third researcher not involved in analysis, checked the data to support the dependability of the results.
Results: A total of 29 participants (social workers and oncology nurses) participated in six qualitative focus groups with five to six participants per group. Barriers to referral included 1) Lack of Knowledge of OTs role in oncology care and lack of ability to tie side effects of cancer to functional issues indicating need for OT referral; 2) bureaucratical and organizational barriers (e.g., no present protocol for referral); 3) lack of OT services presence in oncology clinics. Participants suggested practical solutions and strategies to address barriers and to optimize referrals (e.g., improving communication and collaborations between the interdisciplinary oncology team and OTs).
Conclusion: OTs have an integral part of the interdisciplinary oncology team in providing rehabilitation services to PLWBC. Current oncology care teams can implement the strategies presented to properly identify the need of OT services to PLWBC and reduce gaps in rehabilitation care.
