Accuracy of the nurse's perception of the role of the occupational therapist in long-term care

This study examined the accuracy of nurse's perception of the occupational therapist's role in long-term care. It also investigated the amount of interaction with the occupational therapist, the differences among the nurse-therapist relationship according to different contractual relationships and the relationship between accuracy of a nurse's perception and the nurse's likelihood of making an occupational therapy referral. The response rate for the five participating long-term care facilities was 24%. Of the 27 responses 48% were from RN's and 52% were from LPN's. The survey revealed that overall the majority of the subjects did not have an accurate understanding of the occupational therapists role in long-term care. A one-way variance test was done which revealed a mean score of all respondents to be a 78%. The survey revealed that there was not a statistically significant correlation between the type of contractual relationship the occupational therapist has with the facility and the accuracy of a nurse's perception of the occupational therapist's role. There was also no correlation between nurse's accuracy in understanding the role of the occupational therapist and the likelihood a nurse would make recommendations for occupational therapy services.