Tore Bonsaksen1,2, Anne-Stine Dolva3, Sissel Horghagen4, Unni Sveen2,5, Cathrine Hagby6, Cathrine Arntzen7,8. 1. Department of Occupational Therapy, Prosthetics and Orthotics, OsloMet - Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway. 2. Faculty of Health Studies, VID Specialized University, Sandnes, Norway. 3. Department of Education and Social Work, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Norway. 4. Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Norwegian University of Technology and Science, Trondheim, Norway. 5. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. 6. NAV Norwegian assistive technology center in Buskerud county, Norway. 7. Department of Health and Care Sciences, UiT, the Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway. 8. University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway.
Abstract
Background: Ongoing changes in healthcare delivery systems in Norway increasingly require community-based services, and the changes will likely affect the working conditions and opportunities for occupational therapists.Aim: To characterize occupational therapy in community-based practice in Norway.Material and methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive survey design was applied using a questionnaire related to personal and organizational characteristics. Participants (n = 561) were recruited among community-working occupational therapists in Norway registered as members of Ergoterapeutene. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics. Results: The majority of the participants was female and had an average of 16.5 years of professional experience. They reported to spend about half of their working hours on direct work with clients. For many, work with assistive technology was a main task, accounting for approximately half their working hours. Only a small proportion worked in municipalities that had merged with others, but for a larger proportion (27%) a merger had been decided and was in preparation. Conclusion: This study established some basic information regarding Norwegian community-based occupational therapy and the municipalities where occupational therapists work.Significance: With this study serving as a baseline, we may be able to track how changes will affect community-based occupational therapy practice in the near future.
Background: Ongoing changes in healthcare delivery systems in Norway increasingly require community-based services, and the changes will likely affect the working conditions and opportunities for occupational therapists.Aim: To characterize occupational therapy in community-based practice in Norway.Material and methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive survey design was applied using a questionnaire related to personal and organizational characteristics. Participants (n = 561) were recruited among community-working occupational therapists in Norway registered as members of Ergoterapeutene. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics. Results: The majority of the participants was female and had an average of 16.5 years of professional experience. They reported to spend about half of their working hours on direct work with clients. For many, work with assistive technology was a main task, accounting for approximately half their working hours. Only a small proportion worked in municipalities that had merged with others, but for a larger proportion (27%) a merger had been decided and was in preparation. Conclusion: This study established some basic information regarding Norwegian community-based occupational therapy and the municipalities where occupational therapists work.Significance: With this study serving as a baseline, we may be able to track how changes will affect community-based occupational therapy practice in the near future.
Entities:
Keywords:
Assistive technology; local healthcare; municipalities; primary care
Authors: Tore Bonsaksen; Unni Sveen; Anne-Stine Dolva; Sissel Horghagen; Else Merete Thyness; Cathrine Hagby; Cathrine Arntzen Journal: J Prim Care Community Health Date: 2018 Jan-Dec