Contribution of the occupational therapy intervention in Palliative Care

Introduction: Palliative Care (PC) is defined as an active response to problems arising from prolonged, incurable and progressive disease through early identification, assessment, treatment of pain and other physical, psychosocial and spiritual problems. This care is not sufficiently disclosed and it is suggested further studies and disclosure within the occupational therapy and other areas of health. Objectives: This investigation main objective was to determine the contribution of the occupational therapy intervention in PC and acquire deeper knowledge about this intervention by describing the main methodologies used for a full perception of the intervention carried out in this area. Methods: This is a simple, transversal and not experimental descriptive study, developed in Portugal. Data were collected using a questionnaire self-administered by the occupational therapists. The sample consisted of 15 occupational therapists with clinical practice in palliative care. Results: It was found that the main intervention methodologies are the Promotion of Therapeutic Relationship, Welcoming, Information Sharing, Counseling, Education, Orientation and Importance of Active Role of Family/Caregivers throughout the process, as well as the importance of Therapeutic relationship, Welcoming, Evaluation, Education, Training, Promotion Involvement in Significant Activities, Adaptation/Graduation and Use of Specific Intervention Techniques with the Client. Conclusion: The consistency in the responses obtained for major intervention methodologies used by occupational therapists in PC is emphasized. This study seeks a driving mean for the contribution of the Occupational Therapy intervention in Portugal.