Occupational Therapy in Primary Care

Introduction and Overview 

Primary care is often the first point of contact with health and care services for people experiencing physical or mental health problems. It encompasses a range of community-based services, offered by professionals including general practitioners (GPs), pharmacists, dentists and opticians. Throughout the UK, the involvement of allied health professionals, including occupational therapists, in primary care services is growing (Northern Ireland. Department of Health 2016, Scotland. Scottish Government ca. 2020, Wales. Welsh Government 2020, NHS England ca. 2021). 

Occupational therapists already work in a number of areas within primary care, predominantly within GP services. They are able to offer early intervention focused on prevention, self-management and proactive care (Bevan Commission 2021). Key areas include working with people with long-term conditions or mental health needs and those experiencing fatigue, frailty or risk of falls, and supporting people to manage/return to work (NHS Wales Primary Care One n.d., NHS England 2021). 

The involvement of occupational therapists in primary care has the potential to improve the wellbeing and occupational engagement of individuals, facilitate participation in their communities and improve the efficiency of services. Investigating ‘What are the benefits or impact of occupational therapy in primary care settings?’ has been identified as a priority for research by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists and James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership, which brought together people with lived experience, occupational therapists and people working in the health and care sector to identify the Top 10 research priorities for occupational therapy in the UK (Royal College of Occupational Therapists 2021). 

This Evidence Spotlight includes a broad but not exhaustive range of research papers to provide a starting point for critically considering the evidence base, with accompanying CPD activities.