Accessibility Status to Pediatric Occupational Therapy Services: Views from Health Care Providers at a Rehabilitation Hospital in Rwanda

Abstract

Background: Occupational therapy is a growing profession in Rwanda. Since the commencement of the occupational therapy training program at the University of Rwanda in 2014, accessibility to newly established occupational therapy services in Rwanda is unknown. This study aimed to explore health care providers’ views on access to pediatric occupational therapy services at a rehabilitation hospital in Rwanda. Methods: An exploratory qualitative design with an interpretive descriptive approach was used. Purposive sampling was employed to select a sample of 10 health care providers working at an orthopedic and rehabilitation hospital in Rwanda. The semi-structured interviews were audio-recorded, followed by verbatim transcription and thematic analysis. Findings: An insufficient number of occupational therapists, the lack of treatment equipment, challenges in charging a fee for occupational therapy services, and inadequate collaboration among health care providers were reported as barriers to accessing pediatric occupational therapy services. Conclusion: The delay for occupational therapy services to be covered by health insurance has kept occupational therapy inaccessible for some clients. To provide quality pediatric occupational therapy services, the following is required: Health insurance to cover occupational therapy services, increase the number of occupational therapists, provide sufficient treatment equipment, and collaboration between health care providers.