Occupational therapy in overweight and obesity care: Australian perspectives from a mixed methods study
Background Obesity and being overweight can hinder participation in daily activities and impact engagement. Occupational therapists offer a unique perspective on this issue, yet their practice is seldom described in the literature.Aim To explore how Australian occupational therapists use their occup...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/11038128.2024.2432285 |
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| _version_ | 1832587134699044864 |
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| author | Kieva Richards Olivia Beattie Danielle Hitch Genevieve Pepin |
| author_facet | Kieva Richards Olivia Beattie Danielle Hitch Genevieve Pepin |
| author_sort | Kieva Richards |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background Obesity and being overweight can hinder participation in daily activities and impact engagement. Occupational therapists offer a unique perspective on this issue, yet their practice is seldom described in the literature.Aim To explore how Australian occupational therapists use their occupational perspective when working with people who are obese or overweight.Methods A qualitative dominant crossover mixed methods approach was adopted. Eleven semi-structured interviews with occupational therapists were conducted and analysed. Questions explored clinical decision-making, barriers, facilitators, and therapist knowledge and confidence about working with these clients. Three Likert scale questions on client contact frequency, perceived intervention effectiveness and knowledge of weight-related occupational therapy provided contextualisation.Results Occupational therapists reported average confidence and variability in the effectiveness of weight-related interventions. Three key themes were identified: 1) Exploring clients’ needs for weight management; 2) Incorporating weight management strategies in occupational therapy intervention; and 3) Organisation of current occupational therapy practice for people with obesity.Conclusion Occupational therapists should leverage an occupational perspective to enhance participation and engagement for people with obesity, thereby ensuring the client’s best interests are met.Significance As change agents, occupational therapists can advocate for shifts in care culture, influence leadership and challenge systemic issues that limit occupational performance and participation for people with obesity. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4c1798d7e86b4d73b53bc35da154a897 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1103-8128 1651-2014 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy |
| spelling | doaj-art-4c1798d7e86b4d73b53bc35da154a8972025-01-24T17:53:19ZengTaylor & Francis GroupScandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy1103-81281651-20142024-12-0131110.1080/11038128.2024.2432285Occupational therapy in overweight and obesity care: Australian perspectives from a mixed methods studyKieva Richards0Olivia Beattie1Danielle Hitch2Genevieve Pepin3School of Allied Health, Human Services & Sport, La Trobe University, Bundoora, AustraliaSchool of Health and Social Development, Deakin University, Geelong, AustraliaSchool of Health and Social Development, Deakin University, Geelong, AustraliaSchool of Health and Social Development, Deakin University, Geelong, AustraliaBackground Obesity and being overweight can hinder participation in daily activities and impact engagement. Occupational therapists offer a unique perspective on this issue, yet their practice is seldom described in the literature.Aim To explore how Australian occupational therapists use their occupational perspective when working with people who are obese or overweight.Methods A qualitative dominant crossover mixed methods approach was adopted. Eleven semi-structured interviews with occupational therapists were conducted and analysed. Questions explored clinical decision-making, barriers, facilitators, and therapist knowledge and confidence about working with these clients. Three Likert scale questions on client contact frequency, perceived intervention effectiveness and knowledge of weight-related occupational therapy provided contextualisation.Results Occupational therapists reported average confidence and variability in the effectiveness of weight-related interventions. Three key themes were identified: 1) Exploring clients’ needs for weight management; 2) Incorporating weight management strategies in occupational therapy intervention; and 3) Organisation of current occupational therapy practice for people with obesity.Conclusion Occupational therapists should leverage an occupational perspective to enhance participation and engagement for people with obesity, thereby ensuring the client’s best interests are met.Significance As change agents, occupational therapists can advocate for shifts in care culture, influence leadership and challenge systemic issues that limit occupational performance and participation for people with obesity.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/11038128.2024.2432285Obesity managementscope of practiceparticipationoverweightoccupational therapyoccupational therapists |
| spellingShingle | Kieva Richards Olivia Beattie Danielle Hitch Genevieve Pepin Occupational therapy in overweight and obesity care: Australian perspectives from a mixed methods study Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy Obesity management scope of practice participation overweight occupational therapy occupational therapists |
| title | Occupational therapy in overweight and obesity care: Australian perspectives from a mixed methods study |
| title_full | Occupational therapy in overweight and obesity care: Australian perspectives from a mixed methods study |
| title_fullStr | Occupational therapy in overweight and obesity care: Australian perspectives from a mixed methods study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Occupational therapy in overweight and obesity care: Australian perspectives from a mixed methods study |
| title_short | Occupational therapy in overweight and obesity care: Australian perspectives from a mixed methods study |
| title_sort | occupational therapy in overweight and obesity care australian perspectives from a mixed methods study |
| topic | Obesity management scope of practice participation overweight occupational therapy occupational therapists |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/11038128.2024.2432285 |
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