Journal article
Geriatricians and occupational therapists' perspectives on the role of occupational therapy in delirium care in long-term care settings: a multi-site study
European geriatric medicine, Forthcoming
05 Aug 2025
PMID: 40762928
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Delirium is a frequent and serious condition in older adults in long-term care (LTC), often underdiagnosed and insufficiently addressed despite its significant impact on morbidity and mortality. Occupational therapists (OTs) may play a key role in non-pharmacological prevention and treatment approaches, yet their specific contribution may remain unclear and undervalued in clinical practice.
This study explored the perceptions of geriatricians and OTs regarding the role of OT in delirium care in LTC settings across three European countries.
A qualitative, multi-site study was conducted through semi-structured interviews with six geriatrician-occupational therapist dyads working in LTC settings in Italy, Spain, and Switzerland. Transcripts were analyzed thematically through inductive coding.
Three main conceptual categories emerged: (1) the perceptions of the OT's role by geriatricians, (2) the goals and interventions of OTs in delirium care, and (3) barriers and facilitators to OT involvement. Geriatricians with greater familiarity with OTs recognized their role in prevention through environmental modifications and meaningful activity promotion, whereas others saw OTs' contributions as overlapping with physiotherapy. OTs often lacked standardized tools and specific training for delirium care, and caregiver involvement was minimal. Barriers included time constraints, unclear interprofessional roles, and limited geriatric training; facilitators included strong interdisciplinary collaboration and supportive teams.
Enhancing the role of occupational therapy in delirium care requires clearer interprofessional definitions, dedicated training, and structural support in LTC. Structured collaboration between geriatricians and OTs may improve prevention and management outcomes for delirium in older adults.
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Details
- Title
- Geriatricians and occupational therapists' perspectives on the role of occupational therapy in delirium care in long-term care settings: a multi-site study
- Creators
- Christian Pozzi - University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern SwitzerlandGiulia Borgonovo - University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern SwitzerlandJuan Antonio Lopez Segura - Parque Sanitario Pere VirgiliABirgitta Gunnarsson - Department of Research and Development, Region Kronoberg, Växjö, SwedenLaura N Gitlin - Drexel University
- Publication Details
- European geriatric medicine, Forthcoming
- Publisher
- Springer Nature
- Number of pages
- 11
- Grant note
- SUPSI - University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland
Open access funding provided by SUPSI - University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland.
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- College of Nursing and Health Professions
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001544178700001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-105012576848
- Other Identifier
- 991022073839604721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Geriatrics & Gerontology