(College of Occupational Therapists, 2012-12-01) Maclean, Fiona; Carin-Levy, Gail; Hunter, Heather; Malcolmson, L.; Locke, E.
Background: Limited evidence is available to illustrate the use of theory to underpin
occupational therapy practice in acute physical health care settings.
Methods: A generic qualitative method investigated the views, knowledge and
perceptions of seven Scottish occupational therapists about the potential usefulness
of the Person-Environment-Occupation Model (PEO Model) in acute care. This
convenience sample participated in two focus groups: the first to examine and
understand the PEO Model and the second to explore further reflections of the
strengths and limitations of its use in practice.
Findings: The PEO Model has the potential to provide a meaningful framework
in which to conceptualise patients in an acute physical health care setting.
Conclusions: The PEO Model offers flexibility regarding the extent to which
occupational performance is addressed, in a setting characterised by short
hospital admission stays. Also, a range of occupation-focused models was valued
to practise effectively in this setting.
