Home and community occupational therapy for children and youth: A ...

LAW ET AL.
of the study results is accurate, the other factors that may
affect outcome cannot be ignored.
As occupational therapists practicing in Canada, it is
important to consider the implications of these findings. The
results of this study found a significant improvement in occupational
performance outcomes after home and community
occupational therapy services. Yet, we found no significant
relationship between service intensity (number of occupational
therapy visits) and outcomes. In fact, children and
youth receiving greater than 11 visits experienced the same
amount of change in performance as those receiving fewer
visits. Therapists should consider measuring changes in
outcome regularly to determine if performance goals have
been met. The results of this study indicate that more therapy
does not necessarily result in greater improvements in
occupational performance outcomes.
Conclusion
These results indicate that a client-centred approach to
occupational therapy is related to a positive change in occupational
performance and quality of life outcomes, there is
no significant relationship between amount of service and
outcome, and parents of children with disabilities feel the
need to supplement publicly funded services. Further
research into the relationships between service provision,
cost and outcomes of occupational therapy for children and
youth in the home and community is needed.
Acknowledgements
This research was generously funded with grants from the
Hospital for Sick Children Foundation and the Max Bell
Foundation.
We would like to sincerely thank the occupational therapists
and the families who took the time to participate in this
research project from: KidsAbility Centre for Child
Development in Waterloo, Ontario; Sudbury Regional
Children's Treatment Centre in Sudbury, Ontario; Therapy
Partners Incorporated in Guelph, Ontario; Montreal
Children's Hospital in Montreal, Quebec; Halton Parent
Infant Programme in Halton, Ontario; Pace Home Care
Services in Kitchener, Ontario; L’ergothérapie de la maison à
l’école in Montreal, Quebec; Shirley Sutton Private Clinic in
Collingwood, Ontario; MacKay Center in Montreal, Quebec;
Grey Bruce Health Services in Owen Sound, Ontario; and
Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital in Orillia, Ontario.
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