POS1501-HPR A SCOPING REVIEW EXPLORING THE ROLE OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY IN PROVIDING VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION FOR THE INFLAMMATORY ARTHRITIS POPULATION
Authors: S. Somerville, Y. Codd, R. J. Gowran
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2024)

<h3>Background:</h3> Inflammatory arthritis (IA) significantly impacts work participation, resulting in cost to individuals, employers, and society. Contributing variables are complex, identifying the need for a conceptual framework to guide practice. Vocational rehabilitation seeks to address this need, but its efficacy is under investigation. Occupational Therapy theory addresses this complexity, providing frameworks and pragmatic approaches such as the Person-Environment-Occupation-Performance (PEOP) model to understand the occupation of work [1]. Previous reviews have explored wider cohorts or found the heterogenous evidence base limited the conclusions they could draw. <h3>Objectives:</h3> To provide an overview of the role of Occupational Therapy within vocational rehabilitation for the IA population to maintain or return to their work role. <h3>Methods:</h3> A scoping review following Arksey &amp; O'Malley's [2] stages was completed. Major databases and grey literature were systematically searched and hand-searches completed in July 2023 with no limits on publication date. Descriptive and thematic analysis mapped the findings to the PEOP model. <h3>Results:</h3> Thirteen studies were included. A focus on work productivity was more evident in studies published from 2008 on with prior to that focusing on reducing job loss or gaining employment. Major themes aligned to the PEOP model with further analysis synthesised in subthemes (Figure 1). A majority of person-related interventions was observed. This framework identifies the focus of vocational rehabilitation and existing gaps. Effectiveness measurement focused on work instability, employment retention, and self-efficacy <h3>Conclusion:</h3> This scoping review provides an overview of the evidence regarding vocational rehabilitation for the IA population in the context of Occupational Therapy theory. Recognition of the complexity and nuances of vocational rehabilitation with overlaps between domains can be understood using the PEOP model. A clear framework for Occupational Therapy clinicians designing and implementing vocational rehabilitation programs is presented. This review identifies the need for further research into vocational rehabilitation programs incorporating all domains of the PEOP model. Outcome measures for vocational rehabilitation are heterogenous and require further exploration as capturing the intricacy of achieving balance with work participation remains unclear. Consideration of work performance measurements to inform effectiveness and the resulting impact on a person's wellbeing is required. <h3>REFERENCES:</h3> [1] Christiansen, C., Baum, C.M., &amp; Bass, J. Duncan, E.A.S. (2011) The Person-Environment-Occupational Performance (PEOP) Model. In <i>Foundations for Practice in Occupational Therapy - E-BOOK</i> [online], St. Louis, UNITED KINGDOM: Elsevier Health Sciences, available: http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/univlime-ebooks/detail.action?docID=1721292. [2] Arksey, H. and O'Malley, L. (2005) 'Scoping studies: towards a methodological framework', <i>International Journal of Social Research Methodology</i>, 8(1), 19–32, available: https://doi.org/10.1080/1364557032000119616. <h3>Acknowledgements:</h3> <b>NIL.</b> <h3>Disclosure of Interests:</h3> <b>None declared.</b>