From Theory to Practice: Integrating Safe Patient Handling and Mobility into Occupational Therapy Curriculum (Part 1/2)

Credentials Display

Kimberly Santorufo, MHA, MS, OTR/L, CSPHA; Asha Roy, OTR/L, OTD, Ph.D., MBA, MS, MAS PSHQ, CSPHP, CEAS II, AOEAS

Abstract

Occupational therapists are at high-risk of musculoskeletal injury because of the manual and physical demands of job-related tasks. Many occupational therapists are sustaining injuries or changing careers because of an injury. Safe patient handling and mobility approaches should be used in occupational therapy practice to ensure the safety of both patient and therapist while assisting patients in meeting occupation-based and patient-centered goals. However, despite legislation, guidelines from the American Occupational Therapy Association, and recent evidence, most occupational therapy academic programs and educators continue to teach manual patient handling as the standard of practice. To ensure safety, longevity, and career-retention, academic institutions should provide education on safe patient handling and mobility approaches to all students. This is Part 1 of a two-part series.

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.

Recommended Citation

Santorufo, K., & Roy, A. (2025). From Theory to Practice: Integrating Safe Patient Handling and Mobility into Occupational Therapy Curriculum (Part 1/2). The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, 13(1), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.15453/2168-6408.2271