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What do people with multiple sclerosis want from an occupational therapy service?
- Authors:
- PRESTON Jenny, HASLAM Simon, LAMONT Lynn
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 75(6), June 2012, pp.264-270.
- Publisher:
- Sage
This study aimed to understand how people with multiple sclerosis (MS) experienced a local occupational therapy service and to identify what they would want from future services. The data for this qualitative programme evaluation were generated through nine focus groups in Scotland, including 30 people with a clinically definite diagnosis of MS (23 women, overall mean age 49 years), 10 partners/carers of people with MS and six occupational therapy staff. The findings fell within four key themes: comprehension of occupational therapy; assessment and interventions; home visits; and levels of support. Although occupational therapy was not initially well understood, this improved with greater use of the service. Nevertheless, significant challenges exist in providing therapeutic programmes that offer meaning and purpose within the lives of people with MS while ensuring flexibility and choice. The authors suggest that there is a possible distinction between what occupational therapists believe people with MS want and what they and their partners/carers do want. People with MS and their partners/carers, therefore, have a meaningful contribution to make and should be involved in the future development of occupational therapy services.