Background:
Many cancer patients face challenges in participation across all facets of life as a result of cancer and cancer treatments. Symptoms may include multiple physical, psychological and cognitive issues which have an impact on quality of life and participation in meaningful activities.
Occupational Therapists address the diverse and unique needs of cancer patients through providing person centered and holistic approaches to identify patients’ physical, social and emotional needs and goals. Interventions are tailored to maximise engagement and increase independence with activities of daily living and quality of life.
Aims: To develop a model of Occupational Therapy service for Medical Oncology
Methods:
- Review of evidence based practice for Oncology Occupational Therapy
- Benchmark with other Victorian Health Services to compare service size, consumer throughput, Occupational Therapy FTE and scope of practice
- Develop a new Oncology Occupational Therapy service
- Data analysis - referral patterns and service provision including assessment and intervention, ongoing Occupational Therapy requirements and role in survivorship care
Results:
- Preliminary findings demonstrate demand for an Oncology Occupational Therapy service with a total of 50 referrals received over 10 week period
- Referral indicators included:60% fatigue; 40% sleep; and 19% cognition
- 36% of patients seen to date would benefit from tailored Occupational Therapy interventions that enhance survivorship during or post treatment
- The Occupational Therapy role facilitated 63% of patients referred to other services through identification and navigation of holistic occupational performance issues
- Limited recent research and supporting evidence on the role of Occupational Therapy in Oncology
- Benchmarking active at the time of submission
Conclusion/ Discussion: This project is currently active and will be completed 31/12/22. Initial data analysis has demonstrated evidence of the need for Occupational Therapy services to address the complex and diverse needs of cancer patients and connect care between Occupational Therapy and survivorship care.