Date Presented Accepted for AOTA INSPIRE 2021 but unable to be presented due to online event limitations. Rehabilitation practitioners (N = 98) indicate it is very important to have specialized therapists and programs for pediatric cancer rehabilitation, yet only 39% of hospitals have a specialized program. Therapists rarely receive education during academic or clinical training on working with children with cancer, resulting in a lack of consistency in services provided across institutions. A pediatric cancer rehabilitation certification program can help promote an evidence-based standard of care. Primary Author and Speaker: Molly Houdeshell Additional Authors and Speakers: Natalie Haffner Contributing Authors: Taniya Easow Varughese, Allison King, and Allison J L'Hotta

Date Presented Accepted for AOTA INSPIRE 2021 but unable to be presented due to online event limitations. This phenomenological study explored perceptions of school-based OT practitioners through the use of semistructured interviews, to gain insight regarding their views and experiences in providing contextually based services. Four themes emerged: a strong working relationship with other stakeholders is essential; contextually based service delivery is intentional; contextually based services need to be individualized; and there are systemic barriers to the provision of contextually based service delivery. Primary Author and Speaker: Francine M. Seruya Additional Authors and Speakers: Mindy Garfinkel, Wesley Sanon, Christina Medwid, Victoria Fullerton, and Cassandra Velez

BACKGROUND. A strategic and prioritized approach to occupational therapy research is needed, particularly given the limited research funding available. Comparing occupational therapists’ information needs with the research evidence available can potentially inform research debate within the profession. This study aimed to identify research topics most often sought by users of the OTseeker database and to compare these with the quantity of topics available in the database. METHOD. A random sample of keyword search terms submitted to OTseeker (n = 4,500) was coded according to diagnostic and intervention categories, and compared with the amount of research contained in OTseeker in 2004. RESULTS. Most frequently sought topics were relevant to the diagnostic categories of pediatric conditions (19%), neurology and neuromuscular disorders (17%), and mental health (17%). Most frequently sought intervention topics included modes of service delivery, sensory interventions, and physical modalities. Although many frequently sought topics had a correspondingly high volume of research in OTseeker, a few areas had very little content (e.g., fine motor skill acquisition, autistic spectrum disorder). This information is offered to inform discussions about research priorities and resource allocation for research within occupational therapy.

Objectives. This study examined the use of aides in occupational therapy practice, the supervision and training of aides, and practitioners’ attitudes toward the use of aides. Method. A questionnaire was mailed to a systematically selected sample of 510 occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants. The response rate was 74%. Results. The use of occupational therapy aides is prevalent in a variety of settings. Forty percent of respondents reported that they currently work with aides, whereas 23 % reported that they have never worked with aides. Occupational therapy aides perform a variety of tasks and receive various levels and amounts of supervision and training. Of those respondents who delegated specific skilled tasks to aides, 76% reported daily contact for purposes of supervision and training. Nineteen percent who currently work or have worked with aides reported being in a situation where an ethical issue arose related to aide use. Conclusion. On the basis of the data, it is suggested that occupational therapy practitioners would benefit from taking a proactive role in determining how aides can be used to maximize service delivery while maintaining quality services. There also appear to be ethical concerns related to appropriate delegation of tasks to aides and to their supervision and training.

Changes in the way our facilities are being organized are requiring us to look at different ways of delivering our services. This month’s column is written so that you, the member, are aware of a new trend in health care delivery systems. It also points out that there are opportunities for growth for those of our members who have management career goals. This month’s column is authored by Jeanette Bair, M.B.A., OTR, Director of Practice, AOTA