Occupational therapists in community mental health teams for older people in England: Findings from a five-year research programme

TY - JOUR

T1 - Occupational therapists in community mental health teams for older people in England

T2 - Findings from a five-year research programme

AU - Abendstern, Michele

AU - Tucker, Sue

AU - Wilberforce, Mark

AU - Challis, David

AU - Jasper, Rowan Elaine

PY - 2017/1/1

Y1 - 2017/1/1

N2 - Introduction This English study is the first to focus on the contribution of occupational therapists to the work of community mental health teams for older people. Method A mixed methods study comprising: a national survey of community mental health team managers; caseload audit; qualitative interviews; and a practitioner survey provided information on team membership and functions, user characteristics, accounts of occupational therapists' roles and experiences, and work characteristics. Findings Occupational therapists worked mainly with people with dementia and were involved in both generic and specialist tasks, with the latter focusing largely on maintaining functionality. They had found ways to balance their roles for the benefit of the team without loss of professional identity. Some differences of opinion between clinical leads and occupational therapists were reported. Stress levels among occupational therapists were similar to those of professional colleagues. Conclusion Some findings contrast with earlier studies of community mental health teams for working-age adults, offering new insights into the nature of the occupational therapists' experiences. To ensure that occupational therapists in these settings are able to contribute effectively, a shared understanding of their role is required between them and their clinical leads.

AB - Introduction This English study is the first to focus on the contribution of occupational therapists to the work of community mental health teams for older people. Method A mixed methods study comprising: a national survey of community mental health team managers; caseload audit; qualitative interviews; and a practitioner survey provided information on team membership and functions, user characteristics, accounts of occupational therapists' roles and experiences, and work characteristics. Findings Occupational therapists worked mainly with people with dementia and were involved in both generic and specialist tasks, with the latter focusing largely on maintaining functionality. They had found ways to balance their roles for the benefit of the team without loss of professional identity. Some differences of opinion between clinical leads and occupational therapists were reported. Stress levels among occupational therapists were similar to those of professional colleagues. Conclusion Some findings contrast with earlier studies of community mental health teams for working-age adults, offering new insights into the nature of the occupational therapists' experiences. To ensure that occupational therapists in these settings are able to contribute effectively, a shared understanding of their role is required between them and their clinical leads.

KW - CMHT for older people

KW - Community mental health teams (CMHTs)

KW - job roles

KW - occupational therapy

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85010202074&partnerID=8YFLogxK

UR - https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/files/35321114/Article_Final_for_NIHR_June_2016.logged.docx

U2 - 10.1177/0308022616657840

DO - 10.1177/0308022616657840

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:85010202074

SN - 0308-0226

VL - 80

SP - 20

EP - 29

JO - British Journal Of Occupational Therapy

JF - British Journal Of Occupational Therapy

IS - 1

ER -