1. Occupational Therapists: Partners in Primary Care
Presented by OT1 students:
Ruth, Erin, Christy, Aldith, Keely & Lizna

2. Scope of Presentation Policy origins Theoretical concepts
Research evidence
Case Examples

3. McGuinty’s Government
INITIATIVES
Patient’s access to services
Interdisciplinary team of health care providers
Integration of primary care services with other health services
Emphasis on health promotion, disease and injury prevention, and the management of chronic diseases
Number of primary health care organizations
( )

4. The Problem…
Government has not consulted front-line staff, health care providers or patients about restructuring plans in primary health care

5. Occupational therapists should be front-line practitioners in free standing primary care clinics

7. Evidence
Hay, Bree, Luo, Clark, Carlson, Mandel, Zemke, Jackson, Azen, (2002). Cost-effectiveness of preventive occupational therapy for independent-living older adults. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Research study to evaluate cost-effectiveness of preventive OT with older adults.
Results: Post-intervention healthcare costs were lower for OT group than active and passive control groups (active = group participated in organized social activity, passive= non treatment group).
Post intervention healthcare costs in the OT group were less than one third of that for the control group. The difference in costs was more than triple the cost of the OT intervention.
Shows that preventive OT with vulnerable populations (eg. Older adults) ultimately reduces healthcare costs.

8. Case Example
Cook & Howe. (2003) Engaging people with enduring psychotic conditions in primary mental health care and occupational therapy. British Journal of Occupational Therapy.
Case Study design
New model of service for mental health involving an expanded primary care team in an inner-city area
extended the GP role, provided occupational therapy and care management and used liaison psychiatry.
Findings:
Following interventions, participants showed significant improvements in social functioning, clinical symptoms and Health of the Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS).
The costs were favourable when compared with similar services. The study suggests that expanded primary care, with occupational therapy and care management, can be a feasible service to improve people's engagement and functioning
Shows OT can be important (and cost-effective) part of front-line primary care service to mental health patients.

9. “Primary health care and occupational therapy have a common philosophical base that supports a holistic approach to health, the personal responsibility for achieving health, and an intersectoral approach that spans, the educational, health and individual, family and community sectors.”
(CAOT, 2000)

10. Something to think about…
Since OT is the most holistic allied health care profession, we should be the primary co-ordinators of the family health care teams!