Perspective of clients and healthcare professionals about occupational therapy intervention in vocational rehabilitation: A descriptive-exploratory study at a professional rehabilitation centre in Portugal

Abstract

Vocational rehabilitation (VR) allows individuals to enter, return and/or maintain employment. After literature review, no evidence of VR in individuals with acquired injuries, in Portugal was found. This paper aims to explore and describe the Occupational Therapy (OT) approach in VR and the client’s and the healthcare professionals’ perspectives, at Centro de Reabilitação Profissional de Gaia. A case study research was carried out with individuals aged 18 to 65 years old, with physical and neurological injuries, and receiving OT intervention; Occupational Therapists and other healthcare professionals working with those clients. To collect and analyse the data, a semi structured interview, focus group and subsequent content analysis by Bardin method were done. Participants’ perspectives were that OT promotes autonomy in occupations, assesses and recommends assistive products and performs functional assessments. Comparing results with literature, the clients and health professionals’ perspective of the OT intervention was consistent with the Occupational Therapist skills and intervention in VR.