TY - JOUR
T1 - Enlightening Stakeholders on the COVID-19 Pandemic Impacts and Preparation for Minimizing Future Pandemics’ Negative Effects on Occupational Therapists
AU - AWUAH, Lawrencia
AU - AWUVIRY-NEWTON, Kofi
AU - ARMAH, Dorinda
AU - ABEKAH-CARTER, Kwamina
AU - NKANSAH, Jacob Oppong
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 Lawrencia Awuah et al.
PY - 2024/4/10
Y1 - 2024/4/10
N2 - The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all aspects of professional disciplines including occupational therapy; however, little is known about how much of an impact the COVID-19 pandemic affected occupational therapy practice in Ghana. This study examined the impacts, coping strategies, and COVID-19 pandemic lessons for occupational therapy practices in the future. A descriptive qualitative design was employed with a purposive and convenience sampling methods to recruit occupational therapists from four practice settings in Ghana. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven participants. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic analysis. Four major themes were identified from the analysis enlightening stakeholders on the impact and preparation for minimizing the impact of future pandemics on the workloads of an occupational therapist. The major themes are (1) impacts of the COVID-19 on occupational therapy practice and practitioners; (2) aspects or domains of work significantly affected by the pandemic; (3) the existing strategies employed to handle the challenges; and (4) strategies to minimize these challenges in the future. The current study has enlightened stakeholders on the need to make alternate preparations including telehealth, continuous support for telehealth infrastructures, training of practitioners, and research to adapt intervention strategies effectively.
AB - The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all aspects of professional disciplines including occupational therapy; however, little is known about how much of an impact the COVID-19 pandemic affected occupational therapy practice in Ghana. This study examined the impacts, coping strategies, and COVID-19 pandemic lessons for occupational therapy practices in the future. A descriptive qualitative design was employed with a purposive and convenience sampling methods to recruit occupational therapists from four practice settings in Ghana. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven participants. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic analysis. Four major themes were identified from the analysis enlightening stakeholders on the impact and preparation for minimizing the impact of future pandemics on the workloads of an occupational therapist. The major themes are (1) impacts of the COVID-19 on occupational therapy practice and practitioners; (2) aspects or domains of work significantly affected by the pandemic; (3) the existing strategies employed to handle the challenges; and (4) strategies to minimize these challenges in the future. The current study has enlightened stakeholders on the need to make alternate preparations including telehealth, continuous support for telehealth infrastructures, training of practitioners, and research to adapt intervention strategies effectively.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85191405536&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1155/2024/5575079
DO - 10.1155/2024/5575079
M3 - Journal Article (refereed)
SN - 0966-0410
VL - 2024
SP - 1
EP - 9
JO - Health and Social Care in the Community
JF - Health and Social Care in the Community
M1 - 5575079
ER -