Safe patient handling curriculum in occupational therapy and
occupational therapy assistant programs: A descriptive study of school
curriculum within the United States of America
Issue title: Injuries and Prevention in Healthcare
Providers
Affiliations: The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA}
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Martin S. Rice, Ph.D., OTR/L,
Occupational Therapy, The University of Toledo, Mail Stop 119, 2801 W. Bancroft
St., Toledo, OH 43606-3390, USA. Tel.: +1 419 383 4713; Fax: +1 419 383 5880;
E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to identify safe patient handling
(SPH) curricular content in accredited occupational therapy and occupational
therapy assistant programs in the United States of America. A survey was
emailed to 155 accredited occupational therapy and 137 accredited occupational
therapy assistant programs. With a 39% response rate, most programs addressed
SPH curricula by including lectures and lab-based experiences with gait belts,
slide boards, and manual transfers while stressing 'safe' body mechanics. There
were limited responses regarding curricular-based hands-on experience,
evaluation of sit-to-stand lifts, how to safely transfer bariatric persons, and
information on "no-lift" policies. While occupational therapists have a central
role in teaching SPH to caregivers, it is important to enhance SPH curricula to
reduce exposure to musculoskeletal risk, thereby, increasing the health and
safety of the occupational therapy workforce as well those whom the profession
serves.
