What is the effectiveness of community mentorship on the independence and confidence of an individual recently diagnosed with a nuerological condition?
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Authors
Denney, Cat
Kuhn, Jenna
Lozano, Gabby
Issue Date
2023-05-15
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Abstract
Neurological conditions represent a large portion of occupational therapists’ (OT’s) case load. Neurological conditions typically fall under two categories: acquired brain injury or progressive disease. In almost all settings that OTs work in, they can expect to be treating individuals that have some sort of neurological condition, for example in inpatient rehabilitation where OTs would treat individuals that have spinal cord injuries or traumatic brain injuries and require remediation and compensatory strategies for activities of daily living (ADLs). Strokes are another type of acquired brain injury that OTs would treat, and patients typically require remediation for deficits, minimization of secondary complications, and education on safety following a stroke. Strokes are the leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Some progressive neurological conditions include Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, among others. Financial burdens for spinal cord injury can range from $50,000 to $3,000,000 depending on insurance coverage, level of injury, and other economic factors. Strokes also range widely in cost and burden to society and can cost a patient anywhere from tens of thousands to millions of dollars in acute care, inpatient rehab, and ongoing individualized care post-stroke expenses. In addition, progressive diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis, costs the individual on average $88,487 per year.
Part of the OT scope of practice includes community reintegration as part of instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). Navigating and engaging in one’s community is an occupation for anyone, including those recovering from an acquired brain injury or living with a progressive disease. OT can play a role in adapting an environment to make it more accessible for the individual with disabilities in a manner that is meaningful and unique to them. One way to make a community environment more accessible for those who have physical and/or cognitive disabilities is to introduce their patient to a community mentor. Community mentorship is one method of treatment that OTs can introduce for the patient with the neurological disorder to have a model or confidant when it comes to reintegrating into the environment they were in prior to their injury or disease progression. Community mentorship program would likely be introduced in the inpatient rehabilitation setting as an option but would be carried out and utilized more in the outpatient setting. Outpatient settings include training to compensate for and remediate skills for activities of daily living , and OT has the scope to rehabilitate patients on these skills via community mentorship from another patient who experiences similar barriers.
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Creighton University
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Copyright is retained by the Author. A non-exclusive distribution right is granted to Creighton University