THE PLANNING PROCESS IN OCCUPATIONAL-THERAPY - PERCEPTIONS OF ADULT REHABILITATION PATIENTS

Objective. The purpose of this study was to learn about (a) adult phys ical rehabilitation patients' perception of their involvement in the t reatment planning process (goal setting, treatment planning, outcome e valuation), (b) their valuation of occupational therapy, and (c) how t hey would describe their interpersonal relationships with their occupa tional therapists. Method. Fifteen subjects who had received occupatio nal therapy were interviewed. The transcripts were independently and j ointly reviewed by the authors to answer five research questions. Resu lts. Most of the subjects indicated that they had been involved in occ upational therapy goal setting; treatment planning; and outcome evalua tion, albeit this indication was weak. They also valued the occupation al therapy services they received. Eight described positive interperso nal interactions with their therapists, and seven provided no informat ion. Conclusion. Patients receiving occupational therapy services are involved in goal setting, treatment planning, and outcome evaluation; however, their involvement varies and can be difficult for them to ide ntify and describe. Because of increasing societal emphasis on patient rights and participation (e.g., consumerism, health professions stand ards, health care accreditation criteria, health care legislation) and the likelihood that health care funding will be used for services lin ked to patients goals, occupational therapy practitioners could become more overt and systematic in involving patients in the planning proce ss. Increasing patient involvement in planning may result in more indi vidualized treatment and more effective use of health care dollars.