Background: Rural populations historically experience disparities in healthcare utilization and access. Purpose: This paper investigates what is known about disparities and barriers for rural populations, identifies gaps in knowledge in regards to barriers for rural stroke survivor access to outpatients occupational therapy, and explores occupational therapists’ perspectives on outpatient occupational therapy, and explores occupational therapists’ perspectives on outpatient occupational therapy access and utilization within this population, as well as any barriers to their own training to treat this population. Rationale: Disparities for healthcare access for rural populations is well established in the literature. However, research examining access and utilization of outpatient therapy alone is lacking. Implications: Occupational therapy has a uinque role in addressing health disparities within rural populations. This project aligns with AOTA’s Vision 2025 and the vision of the National Institute of Health’s National Institute for Minority Health and Health Disparities to maximize health for all people.
