Occupational therapy service use among people aging with multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Objective: We examined the use of occupational therapy services in a sample of people aging with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Method: A total of 1,282 people with MS, ages 45 to 90, participated in telephone interviews to identify unmet health-related service needs. Occupational therapy was 1 of 22 services examined. Proportional odds models were used to examine factors associated with how recently services were used.

Results: Four hundred eighty-four participants (38.2%) had used occupational therapy services at some point since their diagnosis; 211 had used these services in the year before the interview. Recent users identified occupational therapy services as important to health and well-being. Satisfaction with services was high. Greater activity limitations and living in an urban or suburban area were associated with more recent use of occupational therapy services.

Conclusion: The results raise questions about what constitutes appropriate levels of occupational therapy service use and how to ensure that these levels are achieved.