Graduation Year
2017
Document Type
Capstone
Degree Type
Open Access Capstone
Degree Name
Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)
Department
Occupational Therapy
Abstract
This research is a study on the occupation of being an occupational therapy practitioner. The work-related factors of focus are change, absenteeism, productivity/performance expectations, and work-stress and have the potential to influence the delivery of occupational therapy services in healthcare settings. Collective case-study inquiry and analysis was used to determine the overall meaning of the perspectives of 21 hospital, skilled nursing, outpatient, and community-based participants who were occupational therapists or occupational therapy assistants. Interviews and transcription took place, with a validation review. NVIVO-10 Qualitative Software was used to aid in the analysis and coding of the a-priori factors using deductive reasoning, followed by the derivation of themes, and the determination of the meaning of the perspectives of occupational therapy practitioners regarding the work-related factors. The results yielded information about how occupational therapy practitioners identified work related factors impacting optimal service delivery. Change factors related to the challenges of the duties performed by occupational therapy practitioners had to do with client’s clinical conditions, scheduling, insurance-related limitations, and coverage during periods of co-worker absence. Change factors were viewed as stressful, challenging, anxiety provoking, and constant. Absenteeism factors yielded results primarily related to communication. Productivity related responses were split between knowing and being affected, and not knowing and not being affected by performance expectations. Perceptions of worker stress depended on the day and other work-related factors. This research project communicated the rich findings of the occupational therapy participants’ perspectives about work-related factors and explored the participant meanings of their experiences related them.
Faculty Mentor
Colleen M. Schneck
Department Affiliation
Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
Committee Member
Shirley P. O'Brien
Department Affiliation
Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
Copyright
2017 Robert J. Mullaney
Recommended Citation
Mullaney, Robert J., "Workplace Factors Affecting the Delivery of Occupational Therapy Services: Perspectives of Occupational Therapy Practitioners" (2017). Occupational Therapy Doctorate Capstone Projects. 19.
https://encompass.eku.edu/otdcapstones/19
IRB Approval Number (if applicable)
16-042
