The Collaborative Relationship BetweenTeachers and Occupational Therapists in Junior Primary Mainstream Schools

Abstract

A qualitative research study was conducted to explore collaboration between teachers and occupational therapists in junior primary mainstream schools. A purposive sample of teachers and occupational therapists was selected in the eThekwini district, Kwa-zulu Natal.

Two focus groups interviews were conducted — one with teachers and one with occupational therapists. In addition, two in-depth individual interviews with a representative from each profession were conducted. These interviews were audio taped and transcribed and thematic analysis was adopted to identify themes and sub themes.

The primary themes were (1) Benefits of collaboration, (2) Methods of collaboration (3) Attitudes (4) Obstacles in the collaborative relationship, and (5) Methods of overcoming obstacles.

Factors such as limited knowledge about the role of occupational therapy, attitudes of teachers towards occupational therapists and time were identified as barriers to a collaborative relationship between occupational therapists and teachers.

KEY WORDS collaboration, relationship, learner, mainstream, teacher, occupational therapy