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The provision of weight management advice: An investigation into occupational therapy practice
Author(s) -
Lang Jessica,
James Carole,
Ashby Samantha,
Plotnifkoff Ronald,
Guest Maya,
Kable Ashley,
Collins Clare,
Snodgrass Suzanne
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
australian occupational therapy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.595
H-Index - 44
eISSN - 1440-1630
pISSN - 0045-0766
DOI - 10.1111/1440-1630.12073
Subject(s) - weight management , scope of practice , medicine , psychological intervention , overweight , occupational therapy , intervention (counseling) , family medicine , population , best practice , obesity , nursing , gerontology , environmental health , physical therapy , health care , management , economics , economic growth
Background/aim Obesity affects more than half the Australian population and has become epidemic throughout the world. Little is known regarding occupational therapy interventions with clients who are overweight or obese. This study aimed to identify occupational therapy practice in relation to the provision of weight management. This was part of a larger study investigating health professional practice. Methods A cross‐sectional study design using a self‐administered, purpose‐designed survey was employed to identify the current practices of occupational therapists working in a regional area of New South Wales , A ustralia. Participants were recruited via email or mail as publically available. Results Fifty‐one occupational therapists anonymously completed the survey. Results revealed that 53% ( n = 26) of respondents did not consider weight management to be within their scope of practice or their workplace role description. The most common intervention was the provision of physical activity advice (65.2%; n = 30). Dietary advice was provided by 20.8% ( n = 10), while 77% ( n = 32) referred onto dietitian services. During entry‐level occupational therapy education, only 7.8% ( n = 4) had received weight management advice education. Completion of postgraduate professional development training in this area was reported by 14% ( n = 7) of respondents. Conclusion This study provides insight into the current practices of A ustralian occupational therapists in relation to the provision of weight management advice. This research displays a need to acknowledge both a generic and a discipline‐specific role for the provision of healthy lifestyle interventions. This may be achieved through better access to education during entry‐level programmes and in the workplace.