Current situation of occupational therapists in General Acute Hospitals in the province of Buenos Aires

Abstract

The practice of occupational therapy in general acute care hospitals in the province of Buenos Aires began in the mid-1970s. While the importance of occupational therapy in hospitals is well documented internationally, there is limited information on its practice in general acute care hospitals in Argentina. A qualitative and quantitative study conducted in 2023 analyzed the distribution, organization, and most common interventions. The study surveyed 53 occupational therapists from 24 hospitals in Buenos Aires. The results revealed that the majority of therapists work in hospitals with residency programs, and there is an uneven distribution across the province. Almost all of the occupational therapists reported participating in interdisciplinary settings. The most frequent interventions involved activities of daily living (ADLs), equipment fabrication, discharge preparation, family counseling, and consultation with other professionals. Obstacles identified included limited access to resources and an insufficient number of human resources. Facilitators included the work team and the involvement of family members and caregivers. The findings underscore that occupational therapy interventions address various aspects of patient care, encompassing the needs of both the patient and their environment. In conclusion, it is emphasized that strengthening the network of therapists in the province is essential to improving healthcare access and ensuring continuous, high- quality care in hospitals.