The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on occupational performance among people with disabilities and strategies for bouncing back: A rapid scoping review

Abstract

In March 2020 the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the coronavirus outbreak to be a pandemic. Governments implemented responses including lockdowns and social distancing requirements, these led to significant occupational disruption globally. This study focuses on how occupational performance among people with disabilities was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and possible strategies for recovery.A rapid scoping review methodology was used following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and MetaAnalysis extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) checklist. Thematic analysis was used to synthesise the collated data.Occupational performance among people with disabilities was affected in areas of work, education, daily routines, interpersonal relationships, and occupations for maintaining health and well-being. Non-inclusive policy frameworks were reported and strategies for recovery are suggested.Findings imply the need for occupational therapists to take on the roles of facilitators, advocates, and researchers for promoting occupational engagement among people with disabilities including Long Covid.

The role of occupational therapists in return-to-work practice for people with post-COVID condition: A scoping review

“…While RTW interventions for PCC was seen to be highly effective, based on the perception of occupational therapy respondents, occupational therapy services (including assessment interventions, and continuity of care) for this speci c population remain to be largely unavailable and less prioritized. It is, however, reassuring that more evidence-based guidelines (1,13,46) and evidence synthesis studies (12,24,29,41,42) are being published on RTW within the context of PCC to ensure that this service is not only available for people, but are provided with effectiveness and quality (1,13,46). A randomized controlled trial study in Germany is underway to evaluate the feasibility, acceptance, and bene ts of online occupational therapy in servicing people with PCC (54).…”

“…Apart from the professionals and workers, occupational therapists also coordinate, consult, and communicate with the employers of the client for work resumption. However, four studies did not explicitly mention occupational therapists working with other health or social care professionals since the study was focused on occupational therapists (11)(12)(13)(14)(15). Employers of companies or enterprises cannot be categorized in one occupational group, but they are part of the team in this setting, but we decided not to include them in the table.…”