Can client-centred occupational therapy co-exist in the American system?
Our hospital s interdisciplinary treatment team has not raised concerns with a client-centred approach to occupational therapy or in using the COPM to guide critical pathways. To date, there have been no discrepancies between client-identified treatment goals and those of the team. However, a day may come when a client s goals do not coalesce with those determined by the interdisciplinary treatment team. Unfortunately, I am skeptical that the client s goals will take precedence. Only time will tell if a client-centred approach to occupational therapy will survive within our acute care hospital or within the larger third party payer system. If client-centred therapy is to thrive in American health care, health care providers must be convinced that client-centred interventions are effective, efficient, and yield positive outcomes. It will require dedication and perseverance to advocate for the benefits of a client-centred approach in the midst of a system that is “bottom-line” oriented.
