As occupational therapists (OTs), there are a variety of practice settings available. Entry-level occupational therapy (OT) curriculum addresses numerous practice settings including rehab, acute care, and long-term care. Unfortunately, for entry-level OT students, home health care is barely mentioned as an option. Due to the lack of training, understaning of and exposure to home health, some OTs are hesitant to provide services in this practice area. Home health OT consists of providing therapy services in the client’s home or the community in which they dwell. Interventions that are frequently used include, but are not limited to, activities of daily living (ADLs), strengthening, endurance, safety awareness, adaptive equipment, transfer training, and community re-integration. According to research based on community development, home health is commonly viewed as the clinician working with communities on their objectives/goals and identifying areas that are important to the community itself. Through the development of a 4-hour workshop, addressing the transition into the home health care, OTs will gain the necessary knowledge for selecting appropriate outcome measures, treatment strategies, documentation and interdisciplinary communication. The propsed workshop will meet the need of the OT profession by providing an evidence-based approach to educating providers on the transition into home health care. This workshop will also enhance client outcomes by ensuring therapists are equipped with the tools needed to be successful in home health care.
