VOTCymru Version 1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Experiences of virtual service delivery among Occupational Therapists working in Wales
IRAS ID
293328
Contact name
Jan Burke
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Swansea Bay University Health Board
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 2 months, 31 days
Research summary
Summary of Research
Occupational Therapy (OT) is one of the Allied Health Professions that support people to continue, return to, or take up everyday activities that are meaningful to them (their occupations) so that they can engage in their roles (e.g. parent, spouse, worker). The current pandemic has meant that OTs across the UK have had to adapt and deliver their services remotely, using digital technologies. These technologies have enabled OTs to provide, for example: virtual assessments; interventions using telephone or video conferencing; online tele-monitoring and virtual visiting. However, the rapid move towards digital technologies has meant that there is a lack of evidence needed for the development of best practice recommendations, resulting in variable practice which is further complicated by differences in terminology. In addition, identifying what works, for whom and in what circumstances needs to be addressed to ensure prudent healthcare principles. This study, therefore, aims to investigate how OTs working in for example, health, social care and third sector services across Wales have been using digital technologies. The study will explore what OTs have learned regarding the pros and cons of virtual working, the factors that influence acceptability to service users and their views regarding any apparent impact virtual working has had for OTs and their clients’ outcomes. A secondary aim is to identify and clarify the terminology in use to inform the evidence base for this area of current practice. Initially, a questionnaire will be distributed to all OT staff working in Wales. This will allow us to, for example, identify what digital technologies are being used. The questionnaire will be followed by semi-structured interviews to explore the advantages and disadvantages of the digital technologies being used and contextual factors that have impacted on the effectiveness and acceptability of these forms of service delivery in their particular work settings.
Summary of Results
Covid-19 necessitated the development of virtual working at pace and Occupational Therapists have found novel ways to deliver services remotely using digital technologies. This accelerated implementation carries the risk of missed opportunities for shared learning across organisations and services. The aim of this study therefore was to investigate the experiences of ‘virtual working’ among Occupational Therapy (OT) staff and students in Wales. The objectives were to establish the meaning of virtual working for Occupational Therapists (OTs), identify the perceived advantages and disadvantages of the technologies used to support virtual working and explore the specific contextual factors that impact on service delivery.
Using established Occupational Therapy networks in Wales, an online questionnaire was distributed and completed by 191 registered and unregistered OT staff and students working in Wales. Participants who took part in the questionnaire were invited to take part in a follow-up interview and subsequently 11 semi-structured interviews were conducted and subsequently analysed within a convergent mixed methods study design.
A working definition for virtual working was developed from questionnaire and interview responses:
“Virtual working is the conduct of work activities that require communication with others (including service users and their families/representatives, colleagues/team members and individuals working in other agencies), using technology that removes the need to be physically present in a particular location.”
The questionnaire data confirmed that the use of virtual working has increased and impacts were observed across all areas of Occupational Therapy. The semi-structured interviews identified three main themes: the art of OT; keeping doors open and looking forward from an overarching theme which incorporated changes to communication within practice, derived from working in and beyond a pandemic.
Virtual working can maintain and improve access to services although its use in person centred care, where the importance of choice, individual needs and preferences should be carefully considered. Virtual working developments should not compromise, equitable, high quality, safe service provision and whilst some benefits to staff wellbeing have been observed, the risks of virtual working to staff’s mental and physical health needs to be considered.Key Study Recommendations:
- Virtual working can improve access to services and should be considered as an ongoing option for providing care.
- Equitable, high quality service provision and person centred care needs to be maintained.
- Expectations and ‘rules’ for engaging in care via virtual means needs to be promoted.
- Risks of virtual working to the mental and physical health of staff need to be monitored.
- Training programmes in virtual working need to be maintained and staff development encouraged.REC name
N/A
REC reference
N/A