A phenomenology of occupation‐based hand therapy

Background/aim The existing tension between holistic, occupation focused approaches and the medical model in occupational therapy is most evident in the area of hand therapy. Occupation‐based hand therapy has been proposed as a means to alleviate this tension. However, there is a lack of research on occupation‐based hand therapy. Clearly describing and defining what constitutes occupation‐based hand therapy can facilitate efficacy research and help promote occupation‐based practice in keeping with the philosophy of the profession. Methods The qualitative approach of phenomenology as described by Moustakas was used. Participants who were occupational therapists with more than 5 years of experience who self ‐identified as occupation‐based practitioners were recruited to the point of saturation using criterion and chain sampling for a final total of 10 participants. Data were collected through audio recorded telephone interviews and electronic mail. The data were reduced and distilled into a description of the experience of providing occupation‐based hand therapy. Results Participants described the experience of providing occupation‐based hand therapy around the concepts of influences, psychosocial benefits, procedural elements of practice and challenges. Conclusion Findings of this study can assist occupational therapists to develop a more occupation‐based intervention program through focusing on occupation‐based theory, being intentional, using occupation‐focused interventions and building an occupation focused context. Findings can also inform future research into the efficacy of occupation‐based hand therapy, appropriate timing for balancing occupation with tissue protection, and the effects of therapist experience on their ability to use an occupation‐based approach in hand therapy.