Introducing the Concept of Occupational Therapy to Patients in an Acute Psychiatric Unit

Abstract

This project was set up to clarify concepts of and attitudes towards occupational therapy held by Faringdon Wing patients. It proposed to monitor changes in the above, produced by manipulating the introduction procedure. Three groups of approximately 25 patients were surveyed at 6-monthly intervals, between which the introduction procedure was changed. A questionnaire was compiled and used to investigate patients' opinions about occupational therapy, their reasons for attendance, their choice of activity and the introduction procedure. It was found that most patients felt occupational therapy was helpful but did not attend primarily for the reasons which occupational therapists thought important. The study has highlighted the need for further research into introductory procedures, attitudes of patients towards occupational therapy and education of other disciplines about occupational therapy.