Enhancing your hand therapy practice: Welcoming occupation to the table (February 6, 2024)

Presented by: Dr. Kimberly Henrichon  

Occupation-focused therapy is a core value of the profession (Martini et al., 2022), and the use of occupation-based interventions has been shown to benefit clients undergoing rehabilitation for upper-extremity musculoskeletal conditions (Weinstock-Zlotnick & Mehta, 2019). However, occupational therapists in hand therapy find it particularly challenging to incorporate therapeutic occupation into their practice due to the strong influence of the medical model and the biomechanical frame of reference (Colaianni & Provident, 2010).

This webinar will explore occupation-based concepts as they relate to the specialty of hand therapy. Evidence for the efficacy of occupation-based interventions (OBI) with this population will be reviewed. Documented barriers, including contextual influences, to implementation of OBI in the hand therapy clinic will be presented along with suggested solutions.

After taking part in this webinar, participants will be able to: 

1. Define occupation-based interventions for hand therapy practice and their efficacy.
2. Identify stumbling blocks to implementing occupation-based interventions in hand therapy practice along with practical solutions.

Level   Intermediate (3-5 years of experience in this specific area of practice)

Area of practice Chronic Pain, Generalist, Hand Therapy, MVA Rehabilitation, Older Adults, Orthopedics, Occupational Therapist Assistant, Veterans Affairs or Armed Forces 

Client age group Adolescents (13-19 years old), Adults (20-64 years old), Older adults (65+ years old)