The Benefits of and Challenges to the Use of Occupation in Hand Therapy

This mixed methods survey examines the perceptions of occupational therapists working in hand therapy in the United States regarding the benefits of and barriers to occupation-based hand therapy. Electronic questionnaires containing open- and closed-ended questions were answered by 105 occupational therapists working in hand therapy and analyzed using descriptive statistics and qualitatively according to themes. Participants reported that occupation-based interventions benefit clients by facilitating functional activity, meaningful therapeutic experiences, and holistic approach to treatment. Reported barriers to occupation-based interventions include logistic issues, reimbursement issues, the limitations imposed by the client's medical condition or the treatment protocol, and credibility of occupation-based interventions. Overcoming the challenges to occupation-based practice in hand therapy requires research in the efficiacy of occupation-based hand therapy and education of the public as well as health professionals and occupational therapists working in hand therapy.