Occupational therapy in palliative care: is it under-utilised in Western Australia?
OBJECTIVE
To explore potential barriers to occupational therapy in palliative care in Western Australia, as perceived by occupational therapists and other health professionals.


METHODS
A qualitative research methodology was used. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 occupational therapists and 10 health professionals (including a physiotherapist, a social worker, medical registrars and clinical nurses). Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using content analysis.


RESULTS
The four main themes identified were: inconsistent understanding of the contribution that occupational therapists can make to palliative care, insufficient promotion of the potential contribution of occupational therapy, insufficient funding, and limited research on the role of occupational therapy in palliative care.


CONCLUSIONS
This study provides an understanding of the barriers that have limited occupational therapists' involvement in providing palliative care in Western Australia.
Halkett
Georgia K B
GK
Western Australian Centre for Cancer and Palliative Care, Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Western Australia, Australia. g.halkett@curtin.edu.au
Ciccarelli
Marina
M
Keesing
Sharon
S
Aoun
Samar
S
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D014904:Western Australia; D000078329:Workforce; D055815:Young Adult