Objective: To identify factors that lead to this low utilization of occupational therapy, while suggesting possible strategies for promoting such services.

Background: Despite the important role that occupational therapy plays in the non-pharmacological management of people with Parkinson’s disease, few Parkinson’s patients seek such treatment.

Method: Occupational therapists and expert neurologists were asked to complete an online survey regarding occupational therapy for patients with Parkinson’s disease. Based on the data received, a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis was conducted.

Results: The survey was completed by 52 occupational therapists and nine neurologists who specialize in movement disorders. Strengths included the availability of occupational therapists with expertise in Parkinson’s disease and who can train other occupational therapists, availability of assessment tools, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams. Weaknesses included multiplicity of assessment tools, overlapping intervention goals, lack of familiarity with specific guidelines, and the insufficient number of occupational therapists. Finally, the acquaintance with the occupational therapy profession was acknowledged as both an opportunity and threat.

Conclusion: Conducting a SWOT analysis indicated strategies for promoting occupational therapy among Parkinson’s patients, including enhancing accessibility of training and service providers, and the marketing of occupational therapy treatment for this population among healthcare professionals.

« Back to 2022 International Congress

MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/occupational-therapy-for-people-with-parkinsons-disease-a-swot-analysis/