The impact of COVID‐19 restrictions on the delivery of occupational therapy: How technology use affected practice during COVID‐19 among occupational therapists in British Columbia

Abstract

AbstractIntroductionCOVID‐19 activity restrictions altered clinical practice around the world. Anecdotal evidence observed by the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists – British Columbia (CAOT‐BC) suggested a rapid adjustment to virtual care technologies occurred among occupational therapists in the initial restrictions. The purpose of the study was to determine the scope of how COVID‐19 restrictions impacted the use of technology to provide client care in British Columbia. It will inform the future provision of occupational therapy in the developing technological landscape related to heath care provision.MethodsThis descriptive cross‐sectional survey was completed using Qualtrics, an online survey tool. Registered occupational therapists received the survey via email invitations. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics in IBM SPSS Software.ResultsOf 342 participants, 98.4% reported increased technology use to support practice with the advent of COVID‐19 restrictions. Those with some technology experience prior to COVID‐19 reported higher intent to continue using technology following COVID‐19 restrictions. Overall, occupational therapists were confident in their perceived abilities to use technology in their practice. Occupational therapist‐related, client‐related, and practice area considerations occurred with the rapid uptake of technology. Some components of practice were perceived to be improved and others impaired with the use of technology.ConclusionOccupational therapists substantially increased their use of technology to enable ongoing client care during the Covid‐19 restrictions. Implications for improvements and reduction of limitations in care delivery are substantial, given the intent to continue using technology going forward. These implications can be further explored to understand how the advances in occupational therapists' ability to use technology may impact rural or remote care, which practice areas may be most amenable technology use, and how policies and funding can facilitate effective and appropriate use of technology to support clinical care in public and private settings.