Affiliations: Occupational Therapy Division, School of Allied
Medical Professions, Columbus, OH, USA | Department of Physical Therapy, Mercy College, Dobbs
Ferry, NY, USA | Occupational Therapy Assistant Program, Madison Area
Technical College, Madison, WI, USA
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Amy R. Darragh, OTR, PhD, Assistant
Professor, Occupational Therapy Division, School of Allied Medical Professions,
406 Atwell Hall, 453 West 10th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210-1262, USA. Tel.: +1
614 292 0370; Fax: +1 614 292 0210; E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: The purpose of this research was to explore the perceptions of
occupational and physical therapy staff regarding a minimal lift policy
implemented in a midwestern health system. Researchers used a qualitative focus
group approach, facilitating four focus groups with 23 members of the hospital
therapy staff. Transcripts of the focus groups were coded and analyzed for
emergent themes. Several themes emerged from the data: Therapist risk of
injury, Attitudes towards and use of equipment, Professional relationships and
teamwork, and Effectiveness of minimal lift programs: barriers and supports. In
general, therapists felt they were susceptible to work-related injury because
of the nature of their work, environmental factors, and the actions of others.
The therapists served as trainers in the minimal lift program. They trained
other staff in equipment use; were resources for staff on the floors; and they
used the equipment in the context of therapeutic intervention. Equipment was
seen as useful primarily for the rehabilitation of low functioning or bariatric
patients. Further research about the design and effect of equipment in therapy
is recommended.
