Occupational Therapy Integration in Primary Care

Occupational therapy’s expansion into primary care represents a strategic response to demographic shifts and the growing burden of chronic conditions. Traditionally associated with rehabilitation in secondary and tertiary settings, occupational therapy now brings a focus on functional ability, daily living and self-management directly into community-based care. Embedded within interprofessional teams, occupational therapists collaborate with general practitioners, nurses and allied health professionals to deliver proactive interventions that promote participation, prevent functional decline and address social determinants of health. Core activities include early screening for functional limitations, tailored activity-based interventions and education to foster independence in everyday tasks. Models of integration vary internationally, encompassing co-located services, dedicated primary care clinics and outreach to marginalised populations. The integration leverages occupational therapy’s expertise in goal-setting and person-centred practice to enhance care coordination, optimise outcomes and support value-based health agendas. Operational challenges encompass role clarity among team members, sustainable funding mechanisms and robust methods for evaluating effectiveness. Recent innovations include digital assessment tools, outcome frameworks aligned to value-based care and competency frameworks designed for diverse practice environments. As health systems prioritise prevention and community-centred care, occupational therapy’s integration in primary care holds promise for strengthening health promotion, reducing hospital admissions and delivering equitable, person-centred services across the lifespan.

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Occupational Therapy Integration in Primary Care publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in occupational therapy integration in primary care across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Occupational therapy: A health profession that enables people to participate in meaningful daily activities through therapeutic use of occupations.

Primary care: The first point of contact in the health system providing accessible, comprehensive and coordinated care within the community.

Interprofessional collaboration: Coordinated teamwork among professionals from different disciplines to deliver comprehensive patient-centred care.

Co-location: Physical placement of multiple health professionals within the same facility to facilitate communication and coordinated service delivery.

Value-based health care: An approach that emphasises achieving the best possible patient outcomes relative to costs through efficient and effective practices.

References

1. The integration of occupational therapy into primary care: a multiple case study design. BMC Primary Care (2013).
2. Competencies Required to Deliver a Primary Healthcare Approach in the Occupational Therapy: A South African Perspective. Occupational Therapy International (2023).
3. Primary healthcare rehabilitation users’ views on activity limitations and participation in South Africa. African Journal of Disability (2024).