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:
- Extension of Urban Practice
- Austerity
- Responses to Situational Realities
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:
- Conduct community needs assessments to understand the unique challenges and requirements of the non-urban populations you serve.
- Develop tailored intervention plans that consider local resources, cultural norms, and community strengths.
- Engage local stakeholders, including community leaders and residents, in the planning and implementation of services.
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:
- Advocate for increased funding and resources for non-urban occupational therapy services at local, state, and national levels.
- Collaborate with other healthcare providers and organizations to create integrated care models that maximize available resources.
- Utilize telehealth and online therapy platforms, such as TinyEYE, to extend the reach of your services and provide consistent care to non-urban clients.
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:
- Adopt a strengths-based approach that recognizes and builds on the existing assets and capabilities of non-urban communities.
- Implement community-based participatory research (CBPR) methods to involve community members in the research and development of services.
- Focus on capacity-building initiatives that empower non-urban communities to take an active role in their own health and wellbeing.
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:
- Participate in professional conferences and webinars focused on non-urban healthcare and occupational therapy.
- Collaborate with academic institutions and research organizations to conduct studies on non-urban occupational therapy services.
- Publish your findings and share your experiences through professional journals, blogs, and social media platforms.
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.
