2013 TVN Knowledge Synthesis Grant
A scoping review determining the current and future role of occupational therapy in the ICU
In this project, we will thoroughly review professional articles that describe the role of Occupational Therapy (OT) in the
Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Being a patient in an ICU is frightening, disorienting and calls for courage in facing the
unknown. Post-ICU, patients are at risk of developing difficulties thinking clearly, and this can last for up to 8 years after
the ICU. By 2026, the number of people over 60 years old needing ICU care will increase by 105%. OT is a health
profession that specializes in working with patients who have difficulties thinking, and focuses on partnering with
patients and families to help them with activities that are difficult because of accident, illness or other losses. OTs help
patients reduce fear and increase a sense of accomplishment, of being connected to the world. Few OTs work within an
ICU, thus their potential role remains poorly defined. In this project, we will describe the current OT ICU role, outline
how that role could be enriched, and how best to do that. Our results will identify the role of OTs in ICU rehabilitation to
maintain and restore function in seriously ill, elderly patients.
Principal Investigators: Host Institution:
Funding:
Susan Baptiste, MSc, OT(C)
$49,560
McMaster University
Sue Baptiste is a full Professor in the School of Rehabilitation Science, Faculty of Health Sciences at
McMaster University, with an associate appointment in the Department of Psychiatry. Professor
Baptiste completed her professional program in occupational therapy in England and emigrated to
Canada shortly after graduation to obtain her Masters of Health Sciences in Health Care Practice from
McMaster University. She served as President of the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists
from 2010 to 2012, and is currently a Vice President of the World Federation of Occupational
Therapists for a four year term that commenced June 2012. Professor Baptiste is known particularly
for her work as a member of a team that developed the Canadian Occupational Performance
Measure (COPM), an outcome measure used in over 35 countries and translated into 24 languages.
Professor Baptiste is engaged in research exploring and developing innovative service models for
helping older adults live well for longer in their homes and the community and the inter-professional
roles and relationships that support such initiatives.
Michelle Kho, PhD, PT
Dr. Michelle Kho is an Assistant Professor in the School of Rehabilitation Science, Faculty of Health
Sciences at McMaster University. She is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD. Dr. Kho
completed her BHSc in Physiotherapy at McMaster, and BSc and MSc in Kinesiology at the University
of Waterloo. She holds a PhD in Health Research Methodology from McMaster University, where she
also completed a post-doctoral CIHR research fellowship. As a physiotherapist, she also cares for
patients in the St. Joseph’s Healthcare ICU in Hamilton. Dr. Kho is leading a clinical research program
of early in-bed cycling in mechanically ventilated patients to improve patient outcomes. Her research
interests include novel early rehabilitation strategies to reduce weakness in ICU patients, knowledge
translation, research methodology (systematic reviews, practice guidelines), and health services and
outcomes research.
Co-Investigator:
Jocelyn Harris, PhD, MSc(OT), McMaster University
Knowledge Users:
Jennifer Burch-Gill , Hamilton Health Science
Beth Wadsworth, Hamilton Health Science
Project Contact: Susan Baptiste – baptiste@mcmaster.ca
This research is funded by Technology Evaluation in the Elderly Network, which is supported by the Government of Canada through the Networks of Centres of Excellence
program. ™ Trademark of Technology Evaluation in the Elderly Network. Used with permission. 2013 11 01