A phenomenology of occupation-based hand therapy.
OBJECTIVE
The existing tension between holistic, occupation focused approaches and the medical model in occupational therapy is most evident in the area of hand therapy. Occupation-based hand therapy has been proposed as a means to alleviate this tension. However, there is a lack of research on occupation-based hand therapy. Clearly describing and defining what constitutes occupation-based hand therapy can facilitate efficacy research and help promote occupation-based practice in keeping with the philosophy of the profession.


METHODS
The qualitative approach of phenomenology as described by Moustakas was used. Participants who were occupational therapists with more than 5 years of experience who self -identified as occupation-based practitioners were recruited to the point of saturation using criterion and chain sampling for a final total of 10 participants. Data were collected through audio recorded telephone interviews and electronic mail. The data were reduced and distilled into a description of the experience of providing occupation-based hand therapy.


RESULTS
Participants described the experience of providing occupation-based hand therapy around the concepts of influences, psychosocial benefits, procedural elements of practice and challenges.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings of this study can assist occupational therapists to develop a more occupation-based intervention program through focusing on occupation-based theory, being intentional, using occupation-focused interventions and building an occupation focused context. Findings can also inform future research into the efficacy of occupation-based hand therapy, appropriate timing for balancing occupation with tissue protection, and the effects of therapist experience on their ability to use an occupation-based approach in hand therapy.
Department of Occupational Therapy, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA.
Donna J
DJ
Colaianni
Department of Occupational Therapy, Chatham University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
Ingrid
I
Provident
Department of Physical Therapy, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
Leesa M
LM
DiBartola
Department of Occupational Therapy, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA.
Steven
S
Wheeler
D005260:Female; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology*; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012931:Social Environment; D058992:Social Participation
hand injuries; occupations; qualitative research