Affiliation:
1. King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Therapies Rehabilitation and Allied Clinical Services, London, UK
2. Kings College, London, UK
3. School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK
Abstract
Introduction: This study explored treatment of executive functioning impairment in adults after acquired brain injury (ABI), clinician’s confidence and support received, in a sample of occupational therapists in the United Kingdom. Methods: A 24-item online questionnaire was sent to 750 members of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists Specialist-Section in Neurological Practice. Data was collected at a nominal and ordinal level and included yes/no Likert-type scale and free field comments. Descriptive statistical analysis was completed. Results: Seventy-six occupational therapists working in a range of neurological settings completed the survey. Frequently used interventions included education ( n = 57, 75%), task modification ( n = 56, 73%), instrumental activities of daily living (ADL) ( n = 54, 71%), personal ADL ( n = 53, 70%) and goal setting ( n = 53, 70%). Seventy-one percent used metacognitive strategies. Occupation-based metacognitive approaches were rarely used. Thirty-one (41%) participants reported being fairly confident and 28 (37%) were very confident. Support for clinical practice was accessed most frequently through joint clinical sessions ( n = 30, 39%). Findings: Participants used various clinical interventions to treat service users with executive dysfunction after ABI. Meta-cognitive strategies were employed; however, occupation-based metacognitive approaches were infrequently utilised, suggesting uncertainty in adopting these in practice. The need for further training on evidence-based interventions and knowledge translation support was highlighted.
Funder
National Institute for Health and Care Research