Identifying prioritization criteria for patients with mtbi waiting for multidisciplinary rehabilitation services: A Delphi study

INTRODUCTION

Rehabilitation service providers must take into account prognostic factors when making clinical decisions, which includes using these factors as prioritization criteria. The goal of this study was to establish consensus on patient prioritization criteria based on prognostic factors related to persistent symptoms for patients with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) waiting for outpatient specialized rehabilitation services.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a Delphi survey involving clinicians, researchers, decision makers, and patients. Before the survey, we presented the results of an overview of systematic reviews summarizing the evidence on prognostic factors related to post-concussion symptoms.

RESULTS

After two rounds, the 17 experts reached consensus on the inclusion of 12 prioritization criteria: acute stress disorder, anxiety and depression, baseline mental and physical health, functional impacts and difficulties in performing daily habits after the trauma, motivation to receive services, multiple concussions, prior neurological problems, PTSD, quality of sleep, return to work failures, somatic complaints, suicidal ideation.

CONCLUSION

Healthcare stakeholders must consider a wide range of factors to guide clinical decision-making, including about access to care and patient prioritization. This study shows that the Delphi technique can be used to reach consensus on such decisions regarding patients with mTBI who are waiting for outpatient specialized rehabilitation services.

Strategies to reduce waiting times in outpatient rehabilitation services for adults with physical disabilities: A systematic literature review

Objective

Identifying effective strategies to reduce waiting times is a crucial issue in many areas of health services. Long waiting times for rehabilitation services have been associated with numerous adverse effects in people with disabilities. The main objective of this study was to conduct a systematic literature review to assess the effectiveness of service redesign strategies to reduce waiting times in outpatient rehabilitation services for adults with physical disabilities.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review, searching three databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL and EMBASE) from their inception until May 2021. We identified studies with comparative data evaluating the effect of rehabilitation services redesign strategies on reducing waiting times. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool was used to assess the methodological quality of the studies. A narrative synthesis was conducted.

Results

Nineteen articles including various settings and populations met the selection criteria. They covered physiotherapy ( n = 11), occupational therapy ( n = 2), prosthetics ( n = 1), exercise physiology ( n = 1) and multidisciplinary ( n = 4) services. The methodological quality varied ( n = 10 high quality, n = 6 medium, n = 3 low); common flaws being missing information on the pre-redesign setting and characteristics of the populations. Seven articles assessed access processes or referral management strategies (e.g. self-referral), four focused on extending/modifying the roles of service providers (e.g. to triage) and eight changed the model of care delivery (e.g. mode of intervention). The different redesign strategies had positive effects on waiting times in outpatient rehabilitation services.

Conclusions

This review highlights the positive effects of many service redesign strategies. These findings suggest that there are several effective strategies to choose from to reduce waiting times and help better respond to the needs of persons experiencing physical disabilities.

Evaluation of an assessment model to reduce waitlist times for occupational therapy in a rural community health setting

OBJECTIVE

Community occupational therapy services have seen an increase in demand over the last three years, resulting in longer waitlist times for service provision, particularly in rural areas where it is difficult to recruit experienced occupational therapists. Utilising a demand management model, the Basic Assessment Model Pre-Screening Tool was developed by a team of Occupational Therapists and allied health assistants to decrease client waitlist times at one rural community health service.

DESIGN

An evaluation of the implementation of an assessment model with comparison of quantitative data pre and post intervention.

SETTING

Rural Community Health Service in Victoria, Australia PARTICIPANTS: 456 clients that were registered as community-based clients requiring occupational therapy services.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Following the implementation of the newly developed Basic Assessment Model the number of occupational therapy assessments increased and there was a decrease in the median wait time that clients were on the waitlist in comparison to pre implementation.

RESULTS

There was a statistically significant decrease (p<0.001) in the median number of days spent on the waitlist for the post intervention group (80 days) compared to the pre intervention group (105 days).

CONCLUSION

The results of this study suggest that waiting lists for community occupational therapy services can be reduced by implementing this basic assessment model ultimately improving the health outcomes of clients.

Barriers and facilitators for implementation of a patient prioritization tool in two specialized rehabilitation programs

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS

Prioritization tools aim to manage access to care by ranking patients equitably in waiting lists based on determined criteria. Patient prioritization has been studied in a wide variety of clinical health services, including rehabilitation contexts. We created a web-based patient prioritization tool (PPT) with the participation of stakeholders in two rehabilitation programs, which we aim to implement into clinical practice. Successful implementation of such innovation can be influenced by a variety of determinants. The goal of this study was to explore facilitators and barriers to the implementation of a PPT in rehabilitation programs.

METHODS

We used two questionnaires and conducted two focus groups among service providers from two rehabilitation programs. We used descriptive statistics to report results of the questionnaires and qualitative content analysis based on the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research.

RESULTS

Key facilitators are the flexibility and relative advantage of the tool to improve clinical practices and produce beneficial outcomes for patients. Main barriers are the lack of training, financial support and human resources to sustain the implementation process.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study that highlights organizational, individual and innovation levels facilitators and barriers for the implementation of a prioritization tool from service providers' perspective.

Older adults' use of an online decision support system: Usability and stability of assistive technology recommendations

Online decision support systems (DSS) may help older adults self-select assistive technology (AT) by offering recommendations. User interactions with DSSs may change the recommendations they receive.

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated recommendations stability and usability of an online DSS.

METHODS

Middle-aged and older adults (n = 43) were observed while using the DSS. The stability of DSS recommendations (ATs and advice) was compared between two time points, using a three-point scale: no, partial, or full agreement. Usability was coded, referencing ISO standards.

RESULTS

Half (51%) of participants received AT recommendations from the DSS in both sessions, with full (14%) or partial (12%) agreement. All but one participant received advice, and almost all of them had full (40%) or partial (56%) agreement between sessions. Many of the usability issues appear to be the result of the users inaccurately measuring their environment, challenges in understanding the questions being asked, and improperly making selections from the system.

DISCUSSION

Strict AT matching rules versus generic advice, and usability issues, likely reduced the matching rate and stability of AT recommendations.

CONCLUSION

It appears that some users may require assistance with the system, and we suggest changes to the DSS format and content to improve stability and usability.

Prioritization of patients access to outpatient augmentative and alternative communication services in Quebec: a decision tool

Purpose: A large number of people living with a chronic disability wait a long time to access publicly funded rehabilitation services such as Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) services, and there is no standardized tool to prioritize these patients. We aimed to develop a prioritization tool to improve the organization and access to the care for this population.Methods: In this sequential mixed methods study, we began with a qualitative phase in which we conducted semi-structured interviews with 14 stakeholders including patients, their caregivers, and AAC service providers in Quebec City, Canada to gather their ideas about prioritization criteria. Then, during a half-day consensus group meeting with stakeholders, using a consensus-seeking technique (i.e. Technique for Research of Information by Animation of a Group of Experts), we reached consensus on the most important prioritization criteria. These criteria informed the quantitative phase in which used an electronic questionnaire to collect stakeholders' views regarding the relative weights for each of the selected criteria. We analyzed these data using a hybrid quantitative method called group based fuzzy analytical hierarchy process, to obtain the importance weights of the selected eight criteria.Results: Analyses of the interviews revealed 48 criteria. Collectively, the stakeholders reached consensus on eight criteria, and through the electronic questionnaire they defined the selected criteria's importance weights. The selected eight prioritization criteria and their importance weights are: person's safety (weight: 0.274), risks development potential (weight: 0.144), psychological well-being (weight: 0.140), physical well-being (weight: 0.124), life prognosis (weight: 0.106), possible impact on social environment (weight: 0.085), interpersonal relationships (weight: 0.073), and responsibilities and social role (weight: 0.054).Conclusion: In this study, we co-developed a prioritization decision tool with the key stakeholders for prioritization of patients who are referred to AAC services in rehabilitation settings.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILIATIONStudies in Canada have shown that people in Canada with a need for rehabilitation services are not receiving publicly available services in a timely manner.There is no standardized tool for the prioritization of AAC patients.In this mixed methods study, we co-developed a prioritization tool with key stakeholders for prioritization of patients who are referred to AAC services in a rehabilitation center in Quebec, Canada.

How the design and implementation of centralized waiting lists influence their use and effect on access to healthcare - A realist review

CONTEXT

Many health systems have centralized waiting lists (CWLs), but there is limited evidence on CWL effectiveness and how to design and implement them.

AIM

To understand how CWLs' design and implementation influence their use and effect on access to healthcare.

METHODS

We conducted a realist review (n = 21 articles), extracting context-intervention-mechanism-outcome configurations to identify demi-regularities (i.e., recurring patterns of how CWLs work).

RESULTS

In implementing non-mandatory CWLs, acceptability to providers influences their uptake of the CWL. CWL eligibility criteria that are unclear or conflict with providers' role or judgement may result in inequities in patient registration. In CWLs that prioritize patients, providers must perceive the criteria as clear and appropriate to assess patients' level of need; otherwise, prioritization may be inconsistent. During patients' assignment to service providers, providers may select less-complex patients to obtain CWLs rewards or avoid penalties; or may select patients for other policies with stronger incentives, disregarding the established patient order and leading to inequities and limited effectiveness.

CONCLUSION

These findings highlight the need to consider provider behaviours in the four sequential CWL design components: CWL implementation, patient registration, patient prioritization and patient assignment to providers. Otherwise, CWLs may result in limited effects on access or lead to inequities in access to services.

Referral Prioritization in Home Care Occupational Therapy: A Matter of Perspective

Background.

Prioritizing referrals for home care occupational therapy is somewhat subjective, and public and patient perspectives on waiting list priorities are unknown.

Purpose.

To explore the views of home care occupational therapists (OTs), older persons (OPs) and adults with disabilities on waiting list priorities, as well as issues and challenges underlying these priorities.

Method.

We conducted in-depth interviews with 11 OTs, 10 OPs and 9 adults with disabilities. Participants were asked to prioritize referral scenarios while explaining their choices. Directed and conventional content analysis allowed the identification of themes for each group of participants.

Findings.

OTs experienced conflicts of values but mainly prioritized referrals based on client safety. OPs sought to maximize client’s independence, and persons with disabilities aimed to improve clients’ social participation.

Implications.

OTs should seek the perspectives of their target clientele on referral prioritization criteria and strive to adjust prioritization practices accordingly.

Appliquer un procédé argumentaire pour revendiquer une attribution des services en ergothérapie basée sur l’habilitation aux occupations

Problématique : L’attribution actuelle des services en ergothérapie en CLSC permet difficilement aux ergothérapeutes d’intervenir selon leur expertise première d’habilitation aux occupations. Pour revendiquer cette situation, les professionnels sont appelés à agir comme agent de changement et idéalement avoir recours à un procédé argumentaire. Objectif : Appliquer un procédé argumentaire à une situation professionnelle problématique en ergothérapie, soit revendiquer une attribution des services en ergothérapie en CLSC basée sur l’habilitation aux occupations. Méthode : Le procédé argumentaire est basé sur le cadre argumentaire Convictions-Réel-Actions-Fondements (CRAF) nécessitant une recherche d’arguments provenant d’une recension critique des écrits. Résultats : Les études recensées font valoir des arguments basés sur les valeurs et les fondements théoriques de la profession. Les arguments issus des résultats probants proviennent d’études dont le niveau d’évidence scientifique est élevé. Ils montrent que des interventions basées sur l’habilitation aux occupations ont des retombées sur la participation et le fonctionnement dans les occupations, le bien-être et la santé physique et mentale, la perception d’efficacité personnelle, la satisfaction de vie, les interactions sociales, l’apprentissage de connaissances et l’espérance de vie. Discussion : L’habilitation aux occupations dans une approche de prévention et de promotion de la santé est efficace et rentable, et ce, pour une clientèle plus vaste que celle actuellement desservie. Les ergothérapeutes, désireux d’être agent de changement dans leur milieu, pourraient reproduire le procédé argumentaire pour l’appliquer à une situation clinique problématique.

Patient prioritization tools and their effectiveness in non-emergency healthcare services: a systematic review protocol

BACKGROUND

Waiting lists should be managed as fairly as possible to ensure that patients with greater or more urgent needs receive services first. Patient prioritization refers to the process of ranking referrals in a certain order based on various criteria with the aim of improving fairness and equity in the delivery of care. Despite the widespread use of patient prioritization tools (PPTs) in healthcare services, the existing literature on this subject has mainly focused on emergency settings. Evidence has not been synthesized with respect to all the non-emergency services.

METHODS

This review aims to perform a systematic synthesis of published evidence concerning (1) prioritization tools' characteristics, (2) their metrological properties, and (3) their effect measures across non-emergency services. Five electronic databases will be searched (Cochrane Library, Ovid/MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and CINAHL). Eligibility criteria guiding data selection will be (1) qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods empirical studies; (2) patient prioritization in any non-emergency setting; and (3) discussing characteristic, metrological properties, or effect measures. Data will be sought to report tool's format, description, population, setting, purpose, criteria, developer, metrological properties, and outcome measures. Two reviewers will independently screen, select, and extract data. Data will be synthesized with sequential exploratory design method. We will use the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) to assess the quality of articles included in the review.

DISCUSSION

This systematic review will provide much-needed knowledge regarding patient prioritization tools. The results will benefit clinicians, decision-makers, and researchers by giving them a better understanding of the methods used to prioritize patients in clinical settings.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42018107205.

Community-based participatory research remodelling occupational therapy to foster older adults’ social participation

Background.

Occupational therapists who provide community-based services are well positioned to foster older adults’ social participation. However, community occupational therapists rarely address social participation and require support to change their practice.

Purpose.

This study initiated a remodelling of community occupational therapy services by (a) selecting practices fostering older adults’ social participation and (b) identifying factors that could affect their integration.

Method.

A community-based participatory research study was conducted in a large Canadian city. Four focus group meetings and seven individual interviews were held with 28 key informants.

Findings.

A continuum of emerging practices was identified, including personalized, group-based, and community-based interventions. Potential enablers of these practices included clinical support, better communication, and user involvement. Organizational and systemic barriers were related to the institutional culture and performance indicators.

Implications.

These results point to innovative ways to foster older adults’ social participation and identify potential enablers and barriers affecting their integration.

Area deprivation and attachment to a general practitioner through centralized waiting lists: a cross-sectional study in Quebec, Canada

BACKGROUND

Access to primary healthcare is an important social determinant of health and having a regular general practitioner (GP) has been shown to improve access. In Canada, socio-economically disadvantaged patients are more likely to be unattached (i.e. not have a regular GP). In the province of Quebec, where over 30% of the population is unattached, centralized waiting lists were implemented to help patients find a GP. Our objectives were to examine the association between social and material deprivation and 1) likelihood of attachment, and 2) wait time for attachment to a GP through centralized waiting lists.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted in five local health networks in Quebec, Canada, using clinical administrative data of patients attached to a GP between June 2013 and May 2015 (n = 24, 958 patients) and patients remaining on the waiting list as of May 2015 (n = 49, 901), using clinical administrative data. Social and material area deprivation indexes were used as proxies for patients' socio-economic status. Multiple regressions were carried out to assess the association between deprivation indexes and 1) likelihood of attachment to a GP and 2) wait time for attachment. Analyses controlled for sex, age, local health network and variables related to health needs.

RESULTS

Patients from materially medium, disadvantaged and very disadvantaged areas were underrepresented on the centralized waiting lists, while patients from socially disadvantaged and very disadvantaged areas were overrepresented. Patients from very materially advantaged and advantaged areas were less likely to be attached to a GP than patients from very disadvantaged areas. With the exception of patients from socially disadvantaged areas, all other categories of social deprivation were more likely to be attached to a GP compared to patients from very disadvantaged areas. We found a pro-rich gradient in wait time for attachment to a GP, with patients from more materially advantaged areas waiting less than those from disadvantaged areas.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that there are socio-economic inequities in attachment to a GP through centralized waiting lists. Policy makers should take these findings into consideration to adjust centralized waiting list processes to avoid further exacerbation of health inequities.

Facteurs influençant la multiplication de traitements en physiothérapie : une analyse thématique de la jurisprudence québécoise

La physiothérapie est touchée par un problème de multiplication de traitements; la fréquence des traitements ou leur durée peuvent être inappropriées ou disproportionnées face aux besoins du patient. La multiplication de traitements peut avoir des conséquences financières, physiques, psychologiques et sociales. Pour explorer les facteurs influençant la fréquence et la durée des traitements dans les situations de multiplication de traitements, une analyse thématique de la jurisprudence a été réalisée. Certains facteurs cliniques et non cliniques influençant la fréquence et la durée des traitements ont pu être identifiés par cette analyse thématique de la jurisprudence. Les facteurs cliniques impliquent que l’allocation des ressources soit guidée par la condition et l’évolution du patient. Les facteurs non cliniques peuvent inclure la pression des employeurs, les demandes des autres professionnels de la santé ou les conflits d’intérêts de type financier. Cette analyse thématique de la jurisprudence est une première étape pour comprendre ce qui motive les décisions cliniques d’allocation des ressources des professionnels de la physiothérapie. Cette démarche est essentielle pour mettre en place des politiques et des normes de pratique soucieuses du contexte de pratique et des normes éthiques, déontologiques et légales qui animent la profession.

Differences in Waiting List Prioritization Preferences of Occupational Therapists, Elderly People, and Persons With Disabilities: A Discrete Choice Experiment

OBJECTIVE

To compare the preferences of occupational therapists, elderly people, and adults with disabilities regarding prioritization criteria for occupational therapy waiting lists in home care.

DESIGN

Discrete choice experiment survey.

SETTING

Survey mailed to occupational therapists working in home care and community-dwelling elderly or disabled persons.

PARTICIPANTS

A sample (N=714) of home-based occupational therapists (n=241), elderly persons from a bank of research participants (n=226), and adults with physical disabilities recruited through community organizations (n=247).

INTERVENTIONS

Not applicable.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The dependent variable was whether the referral scenario was prioritized or not in each question. The results were analyzed through logistic regression using conditional logit models.

RESULTS

Prioritization preferences differed between groups (P<.001). Occupational therapists most strongly prioritized people who had a few falls (odds ratio vs no falls, 48.7), whereas elderly people and adults with disabilities most strongly prioritized people who were unable to enter and exit the home (odds ratio vs no difficulty entering and exiting the home, 30.8 for elderly people and 16.8 for persons with disabilities.) CONCLUSIONS: Our results highlight the gap between the priorities of home-based occupational therapists and their target clientele. Although further inquiry is needed to inform priority setting, the findings emphasize the importance of public or patient involvement in decisions on waiting list prioritization.

Algo Used by Homecare Nonoccupational Therapists Selecting Bathing Assistive Technology: Enhancing Standardization by Exploring Clinical Reasoning

Algo is a clinical decision algorithm developed to support nonoccupational therapists in establishing assistive technology recommendations to enable physically disabled adults to perform their hygiene at home. This study aimed to explore the in-depth clinical reasoning of nonoccupational therapists using Algo to pinpoint the items leading to disagreements regarding recommendations. A multiple-case study was conducted with eight nonoccupational therapists trained to use Algo and filmed while using it with six standardized clients. Explicitation interviews were conducted for the conflicting recommendations. Identifying the key reasoning skills to develop in Algo users has led to three recommendations to enhance standardization with seniors.

Access to publicly funded outpatient physiotherapy services in Quebec: waiting lists and management strategies

PURPOSE

Problems with access to outpatient physiotherapy services have been reported in publicly funded healthcare systems worldwide. A few studies have reported management strategies aimed at reducing extensive waiting lists, but their association with waiting times is not fully understood. The purpose of this study was to document access to public outpatient physiotherapy services for persons with musculoskeletal disorders in hospitals and explore organizational factors associated with waiting time.

METHODS

We surveyed outpatient physiotherapy services in publicly funded hospitals in the province of Quebec (Canada).

RESULTS

A total of 97 sites responded (99%) to the survey. The median waiting time was more than six months for 41% of outpatient physiotherapy services. The waiting time management strategies most frequently used were attendance and cancelation policies (99.0%) and referral prioritization (95.9%). Based on multivariate analyses, the use of a prioritization process with an initial evaluation and intervention was associated with shorter waiting times (p = 0.008).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings provide evidence that a large number of persons wait a long time for publicly funded physiotherapy services in Quebec. Based on our results, implementation of a prioritization process with an initial evaluation and intervention could help improve timely access to outpatient physiotherapy services. Implications for Rehabilitation Access to publicly funded outpatient physiotherapy services is limited by long waiting times in a great proportion of Quebec's hospitals. The use of a specific prioritization process that combines an evaluation and an intervention could possibly help improve timely access to services. Policy-makers, managers, and other stakeholders should work together to address the issue of limited access to publicly funded outpatient physiotherapy services.

Interrater reliability of Algo used by non-occupational therapist members of homecare interdisciplinary teams

PURPOSE

To determine if non-occupational therapists (non-OTs) with different job titles using Algo, a clinical algorithm for recommending bathroom modifications (e.g., bath seat) for community-dwelling elders in "straightforward" situations, will make clinically equivalent recommendations for standardized clients.

METHOD

Eight non-OTs (three social workers, two physical rehabilitation therapists, two homecare aides and one auxiliary nurse) were trained on Algo and used it with six standardized clients. Bathroom adaptations recommended (one of nine options) by non-OTs were compared to assess interrater agreement using Fleiss adapted kappa.

RESULTS

Estimated kappa was 0.43 [0.36; 0.49] qualified as a moderate agreement, according to Landis and Koch's arbitrary divisions, among the recommendations of non-OTs. However, clinical equivalence is reached, since safety and client needs were met when raters selected two different options (e.g., with or without a seat back).

CONCLUSIONS

Non-OTs using Algo in the same simulated clinical scenarios recommend clinically equivalent bathroom adaptations, increasing the confidence regarding the interrater reliability of Algo used by non-OT members of homecare interdisciplinary teams Implications for Rehabilitation In homecare services, non-occupational therapists from different health care disciplines (e.g., homecare aides, social workers, physical rehabilitation therapists) may be asked to select assistive devices for the hygiene care of clients living at home. Algo was designed to guide non-occupational therapists in the selection of assistive devices when performed with clients in straightforward cases. This study indicates that non-occupational therapists using Algo recommend similar and acceptable bathroom adaptations to enhance client safety.

Waiting list management practices for home-care occupational therapy in the province of Quebec, Canada

Referral prioritisation is commonly used in home-based occupational therapy to minimise the negative impacts of waiting, but this practice is not standardised. This may lead to inequities in access to care, especially for clients considered as low priority, who tend to bear the brunt of lengthy waiting lists. This cross-sectional study aimed to describe waiting list management practices targeting low-priority clients in home-based occupational therapy in the province of Quebec, Canada, and to investigate the association between these practices and the length of the waiting list. A structured telephone interview was conducted in 2012-2013 with the person who manages the occupational therapy waiting list in 55 home care programmes across Quebec. Questions pertained to strategies aimed at servicing low-priority clients, the date of the oldest referral and the number of clients waiting. Results were analysed using descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests. The median wait time for the oldest referral was 18 months (range: 2-108 months). A variety of strategies were used to service low-priority clients. Programmes that used no strategies to service low-priority clients (n = 16) had longer wait times (P < 0.0001) and a greater number of people on the waiting list (P = 0.006) compared with programmes that applied a maximum wait time target (n = 12). In conclusion, diverse strategies exist to allocate services to low-priority clients in home-based occupational therapy programmes. However, in programmes where none of these strategies are used, low-priority clients may be denied access to services indefinitely.

Are health promotion and prevention interventions integrated into occupational therapy practice with older adults having disabilities? Insights from six community health settings in Québec, Canada

BACKGROUND/AIM

Increasingly, health-care systems should promote seniors' health and prevent disability. As they enable engagement in meaningful activities within the individuals' living environment, community occupational therapists have great potential to contribute to health promotion and prevention. Despite this potential, little is known about current health promotion and prevention activities in occupational therapy community practice. This study thus aimed to: (1) identify health promotion and prevention interventions used with seniors having disabilities, and (2) explore barriers to integrating such interventions into practice.

METHODS

Secondary data analysis of a qualitative study was carried out using thematic saliency analysis. Eleven community occupational therapists working with seniors having disabilities were recruited in six community health settings in Québec, Canada. Observations of 12 home visits, followed by 12 semi-structured interviews, were conducted with occupational therapists.

RESULTS

Most interventions involved optimising independence in personal care and mobility. Explicit health promotion interventions were limited and included enabling healthy lifestyles by increasing health literacy and empowerment. Meaningful activities (leisure, community participation) were not targeted. Barriers to integrating health promotion into practice were clients' complex health conditions and limited openness to change combined with organisational and professional obstacles, such as a misunderstanding of occupational therapists' role in health promotion.

CONCLUSIONS

Health promotion and prevention interventions are not intentionally integrated into community occupational therapy practice with seniors having disabilities. As a result, seniors' needs to engage in meaningful activities might remain unmet. Overcoming barriers to integrating health promotion and prevention in practice could help improve population health and wellbeing.