ScholarWorks > HHS > OT > OJOT > Vol. 11 > Iss. 3 (2023)
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Melanie Morriss Tkach, Ph.D., MSOT, OTR/L; Patricia Bowyer, Ed.D., MS, OTR, FAOTA, SFHEA; Marsha Neville, Ph.D., OT; Timothy J. Wolf, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA, OTD; Gerald R. Goodman, Ph.D.
Abstract
Background: Chronic diseases limit participation in meaningful daily activities, roles, and routines, which can negatively impact occupational competence, a sense of self, and life satisfaction, especially when hospitalization is required to manage disease symptoms. Standardized measures of occupational competence and related functional, cognitive, and environmental factors may enhance occupational therapists’ ability to identify potential barriers to and make targeted recommendations for self- and health management in the community.
Method: This cross-sectional study investigated occupational competence in patients hospitalized with chronic conditions. The participants completed measures of occupational competence, values, self-care function, environmental impact, and functional cognition while hospitalized.
Results: The participants (n = 51) reported moderate to high levels of occupational competence. The overall regression model was significant. Values, self-care function, and environmental impact were significant predictors of occupational competence.
Conclusion: Values, self-care function, and environmental impact predict occupational competence in people hospitalized with chronic conditions. Occupational therapists should incorporate standardized measures of occupational competence, values, self-care function, and environmental impact into current evaluation practices to support recommendations for follow-up care and community supports. Future research should include a larger sample that is more representative of an occupational therapy caseload and incorporate alternative measures of functional cognition to better measure this construct.
Recommended Citation
Tkach, M. M., Bowyer, P., Neville, M., Wolf, T. J., & Goodman, G. (2023). Predictors of Occupational Competence in People Hospitalized with Chronic Conditions. The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, 11(3), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.15453/2168-6408.2071
Comments
The authors declare that they have no competing financial, professional, or personal interest that might have influenced the performance or presentation of the work described in this manuscript.