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A Scoping Survey for the UK Rheumatology Occupational Therapy Capabilities Framework

Prior, Yeliz; Battista, Simone; Gregory, William; Bisset, Patricia; Derham, Sandra; Dockrell, Dervil; Livesey, Caroline; O’Callaghan, Gemma

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Authors

William Gregory

Patricia Bisset

Sandra Derham

Dervil Dockrell

Caroline Livesey

Gemma O’Callaghan



Abstract

Objectives
An online survey was conducted to explore the clinical roles and expertise of rheumatology occupational therapists (OTs) to inform the development of a UK-specific capabilities framework to enhance care quality and career progression.

Methods
A working group established through the British Society for Rheumatology (BSR) designed and disseminated an online survey via social media and profession-specific networks. Snowball sampling was employed. The survey collected data on job roles, work settings, satisfaction levels, perceived National Health Service Agenda for Change banding appropriateness and comfort with the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) Core Competencies. Responses underwent descriptive analysis.

Results
Eighty-eight rheumatology OTs participated in the survey. Most worked full time (18.2%) at Band 6 (44.3%) or Band 7 (46.6%), primarily in acute settings (73.9%). The majority (75–90%) dedicated their time to direct clinical contact, with 75% feeling their job description accurately reflected their role and 23% reporting they had not had sufficient formal training to perform their job role. Participants performed a wide range of job roles, including assessment and advice on activities of daily living (97.7%), hand function (100%), self-management education (96.6%) and fatigue management education (95.5%). Comfort with applying EULAR competency recommendations was generally high, but 11% reported difficulty assessing the educational needs of people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases and 9% with the ability to select and apply outcome measures.

Conclusion
The findings highlight the need for a structured capabilities framework for UK OTs in rheumatology to improve standardisation, career progression and quality of care.

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date May 31, 2025
Publication Date Jun 5, 2025
Deposit Date Jun 27, 2025
Publicly Available Date Jun 27, 2025
Print ISSN 2514-1775
Electronic ISSN 2514-1775
Publisher Oxford University Press
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 9
Issue 3
DOI https://doi.org/10.1093/rap/rkaf072

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