Occupational Therapy in the Age of the Human Genome: Occupational Therapists’ Role in Genetics Research and Its Impact on Clinical Practice

Reynolds, Stacey; Lou, Jennie Q.

doi:10.5014/ajot.63.4.511

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

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“…1 Genetics deals with hereditary, environment and chance, majority of genetic disorders are multifactorial, meaning that they results from some combination of genetics and environmental contribution. 2 Occupational therapist can use genetic information to assist clients to anticipate changes in their abilities after having clinical symptoms and adjust personal skills and environment to having independence in basic Activities of Daily Living. 3 Occupational therapists can assume role of counselor or clinician depending on the nature of the genetic condition as we are already intervening individuals with activity limitations related to genetic disorders.…”

Section: …………………………………………………………………………………………………… Introduction:-mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…3 Occupational therapists can assume role of counselor or clinician depending on the nature of the genetic condition as we are already intervening individuals with activity limitations related to genetic disorders. 2 The occupational therapists background in both social and physical abilities, with the focus on occupation, puts occupational therapists in the unique position of being able to discuss limitations of activity participation within treatment teams and with clients. Occupational therapists have less confidence in their ability to deal with genetic disorders and provide appropriate management .…”

Section: …………………………………………………………………………………………………… Introduction:-mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Genetic Insight in Occupational Therapy: A Professional Level Survey.

Dixit¹

2019

IJAR

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Section: …………………………………………………………………………………………………… Introduction:-mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: …………………………………………………………………………………………………… Introduction:-mentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic Insight in Occupational Therapy: A Professional Level Survey.

Dixit¹

2019

IJAR

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“…Information about genetic conditions can be used in developing and adapting OT intervention, particularly if a condition is associated with an anticipated decline in functioning (Kanny et al, 2005), something relevant to pediatric OTs who consider the child's prognosis when developing appropriate and relevant intervention plans. OTs can use genetic information to understand the best participation outcomes for their patients and could be great intermediaries to genetic systems of care for pediatric patients who otherwise may not be connected (Reynolds & Lou, 2009). The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) encourages genetics literacy among its members, but in practice relatively few OT programs include integration and application of human genetics (10% of programs), genetics in common disorders (25%), or genetic screening (2%; Kanny et al, 2005).…”

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confidence: 99%

Referral networks for pediatric patients with genetic conditions: The perspective of occupational therapists

Henly

Phillips

Smith

et al. 2023

Journal of Genetic Counseling

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Families of children with developmental delays but no diagnosed genetic condition may benefit from connection to genetic systems of care. This work examines the role of occupational therapy as a space for families of pediatric patients to gain access to genetic services. Between September 2021 and February 2022, we interviewed 20 occupational therapists in New England who work primarily with pediatric patients. We transcribed the interviews and used a grounded theory approach to identify and code recurring themes. The data reveal several barriers to linking pediatric patients to genetic systems of care, including lack of insurance coverage, wait times for appointments and test results, hesitant primary care providers, and familial and cultural stigma of disability. We discuss the unique role of occupational therapists as professionals who spend substantial time with patients, often in their everyday environments, to bridge these barriers. We also address challenges associated with occupational therapists facilitating connections to genetics services, including their lack of specialized knowledge of genetics and barriers fully integrating with others on the medical team.

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Awareness of genetic counseling services among allied healthcare professionals in South Africa

Thom

Haw

2021

Journal of Genetic Counseling

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Genetic counseling has been shown to increase patient empowerment leading to positive outcomes. However, in the Johannesburg state healthcare system, the genetic counseling service is underutilized. Individuals with genetic disorders present with a variety of symptoms and are frequently referred to allied healthcare professionals for management; therefore, these professionals are in a unique position to identify appropriate patients and refer them for genetic counseling. This study aimed to determine whether allied health professionals, including physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and speech and language therapists, were aware of genetic counseling services in Johannesburg, South Africa, and whether they had previously referred patients to these services. The study also aimed to identify barriers and facilitators to referral. An adapted paper-copy questionnaire was administered to allied health professionals working at one of three state hospitals in Johannesburg. A total of 57 participants were included in this study. Results indicated that 29/57 (50.9%) of allied health professionals knew that genetic counseling services were available but only 15/29 (51.7%) of those who knew of the service had referred patients to these services in the last year. Barriers to referral included misconceptions about the role of genetic counselors, insufficient knowledge of which patients would benefit from genetic counseling, and being unable to obtain appropriate information from the Genetics Clinic for patient referral. However, allied health professionals recognized the benefit of genetic counseling and 53/57 (93%) wanted to increase their genetics knowledge. Therefore, genetics education of allied health professionals, and improved information regarding the referral procedure for genetic counseling, may improve the number of patients referred.

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Occupational Therapy in the Age of the Human Genome: Occupational Therapists’ Role in Genetics Research and Its Impact on Clinical Practice

Cited by 3 publications

References 14 publications

Genetic Insight in Occupational Therapy: A Professional Level Survey.

Genetic Insight in Occupational Therapy: A Professional Level Survey.

Referral networks for pediatric patients with genetic conditions: The perspective of occupational therapists

Awareness of genetic counseling services among allied healthcare professionals in South Africa

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