Exploring Environmental Factors to Introduce Occupational Therapy Practice at Semi Public Trauma Center in Sindh: Environmental Determinants of Occupational Therapy Practice

Hiba Khan; Shaikh Maria Tabassum; Syeda Arfa Fatima

Authors

Hiba Khan Karwan-e-Hayat Institute for Mental Health Care, Karachi, Pakistan
Shaikh Maria Tabassum Karachi Down Syndrome Program, Karachi, Pakistan
Syeda Arfa Fatima Ziauddin University, Karachi, Pakistan

Keywords:

Occupational Therapy, Traumatology, Acute Care, Environmental Factors, Rehabilitation

Abstract

Background: Occupational therapy is an essential process in acute care environments that allows initiating functional recovery and ensuring successful discharge planning. Nevertheless, in poor and middle-income nations such as Pakistan, the process of occupational therapy integration in trauma centers is still confined by a number of factors in the environment. This paper discusses the environmental facilitators and barriers that influence occupational therapy practice in a semi-public trauma center in Sindh, Pakistan.

Methods: It was a cross-sectional study carried out over an 8-9-month period, in a tertiary care semi-public trauma center in Sindh. The study involved 10 occupational therapists who worked in five wards. A self-designed digital checklist was used to collect data via Google Forms at the end of 9-10 months of service of therapists. The checklist evaluated both the environmental facilitators and barriers to the provision of occupational therapy services. Participants were recruited through convenience sampling.

Results: A total of 90 patients were sampled in 5 wards: Orthopedic Surgery (n=18), Neurosurgery Female (n=22), Neurosurgery Male (n=20), Plastic Surgery (n=18), and Vascular Surgery (n=12). Management support, positive attitudes of patients, positive feedback, availability of equipment, and inter-professional collaboration were found to be key facilitators. The major obstacles were poor ward hygiene, overcrowding, poor privacy, low awareness of occupational therapy, and a language barrier.

Conclusion: Occupational therapy services are being recognized in acute trauma units in Pakistan despite the serious environmental problems. One of the most important facilitators proved to be management support and feedback with the patient, whereas the infrastructural and awareness-related barriers need specific interventions. The research offers the basis of setting up occupational therapy services in such an environment in low and middle-income nations.

Author Biographies

Hiba Khan, Karwan-e-Hayat Institute for Mental Health Care, Karachi, Pakistan

Occupational Therapist

Shaikh Maria Tabassum, Karachi Down Syndrome Program, Karachi, Pakistan

Senior Occupational Therapist

Syeda Arfa Fatima, Ziauddin University, Karachi, Pakistan

Lecturer/Occupational Therapist, College of Occupational Therapy

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