Occupational therapy clinical report writing in South Africa - factors influencing current practice

Abstract

Introduction: Report writing is considered an essential competency for health professionals. Current research indicates that this area of professional practice appears to be routinely neglected or poorly executed. Previous studies have aimed to understand the reasons for this neglect, however studies specific to occupational therapy practice are lacking.

Purpose: This study aimed to explore occupational therapists' perceptions of ethical and legal concerns affecting current practice in report writing within the South African context.

Method: This qualitative study included six focus groups with occupational therapy participants from a variety of clinical sites and different fields of practice in South Africa. The qualitative data were inductively analysed to determine specific themes to understand the research question.

Results: While occupational therapists voiced uncertainty about ethical and legal aspects report writing, certain profession specific challenges, such as professional identity and the use of professional language, are perceived to cause a disconnect between occupational therapists reporting and clinical practice.

Conclusions: The findings of the study indicate that participants were unsure of the details regarding legal and ethical requirements of practice for report writing and voiced both positive and some negative sentiments in terms of reflecting professional identity and profession specific occupational based language acknowledging the challenge of being in a medical setting in reports. The complexity of writing occupational therapy reports was influenced by the audience receiving reports which varies widely varied