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Enhancing Non-Urban Occupational Therapy: Key Insights from Global Research

Enhancing Non-Urban Occupational Therapy: Key Insights from Global Research

Occupational therapy plays a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life for individuals across various settings. However, the distribution of these services is often skewed towards urban areas, leaving non-urban populations underserved. A recent research article titled "Extension, austerity, and emergence: Themes identified from a global scoping review of non-urban occupational therapy services" by Hayes et al. (2023) sheds light on this issue and provides valuable insights for practitioners aiming to improve their skills and services in non-urban settings.

The study identifies three key themes and nine subthemes from a comprehensive review of 117 publications on non-urban occupational therapy services. These themes are:

Understanding these themes can help practitioners tailor their approaches to better meet the needs of non-urban communities. Let's delve into each theme and explore how you can implement these insights in your practice.

1. Extension of Urban Practice

The first theme identified in the research is the extension of urban practice to non-urban settings. This often involves replicating urban-based models of care in rural areas without considering the unique needs and contexts of these communities. While this approach may provide some level of service, it often fails to address the specific challenges faced by non-urban populations.

Actionable Steps:

2. Austerity

The second theme revolves around austerity and the impact of neoliberal policies on non-urban occupational therapy services. These policies often prioritize cost-efficiency and market value over the actual needs of the community, leading to underfunded and understaffed services. This can result in a lack of access to essential occupational therapy services for non-urban populations.

Actionable Steps:

3. Responses to Situational Realities

The third theme highlights the importance of contextually tailored responses to the situational realities of non-urban communities. This counter-hegemonic perspective values the unique contexts of non-urban areas and focuses on developing community-based solutions that promote social justice and equity.

Actionable Steps:

Encouraging Further Research

While the themes identified in this research provide a solid foundation for improving non-urban occupational therapy services, it is essential to continue exploring and understanding the unique needs of these communities. Practitioners are encouraged to engage in further research and contribute to the growing body of knowledge in this field.

Ways to Get Involved:

By implementing the insights from this research and actively engaging in further exploration, practitioners can significantly enhance the quality and accessibility of occupational therapy services in non-urban areas.

To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Extension, austerity, and emergence: Themes identified from a global scoping review of non-urban occupational therapy services.


Citation: Hayes, K., Dos Santos, V., Costigan, M., & Morante, D. (2023). Extension, austerity, and emergence: Themes identified from a global scoping review of non-urban occupational therapy services. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 70(1), 142-156. https://doi.org/10.1111/1440-1630.12844
Marnee Brick, President, TinyEYE Therapy Services

Author's Note: Marnee Brick, TinyEYE President, and her team collaborate to create our blogs. They share their insights and expertise in the field of Speech-Language Pathology, Online Therapy Services and Academic Research.

Connect with Marnee on LinkedIn to stay updated on the latest in Speech-Language Pathology and Online Therapy Services.

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