Current use of therapeutic groups by Australian occupational therapists servicing community-dwellers with acquired brain injury: a qualitative interpretive descriptive study.

PURPOSE: Therapeutic groups are recognised as an effective intervention modality to support community-dwellers with acquired brain injury (ABI), but little is known about their current use by occupational therapists. This study aimed to understand the use of groupwork by Australian occupational therapists servicing community-dwellers with ABI. Barriers and facilitators for using groups were also explored.

METHODS: A qualitative interpretative descriptive approach was used. Participants were private practice occupational therapists who provided services to community-dwellers with ABI. Data were collected using semi-structured paired and individual interviews, then thematically analysed.

RESULTS: Therapist perspectives about groupwork were revealed. Themes of power, potential and promise; stepping stones; feasibility challenges; and embracing groups were generated from the data. Therapists confirmed that groupwork is a valuable therapeutic modality that can improve clients' performance and participation in meaningful life roles. Concerns related to funding and feasibility were identified as barriers. Successful therapeutic groups required buy-in from participants, a workplace supportive of groups, and personal investment from therapists.

CONCLUSION: Insights gained from occupational therapists suggest greater flexibility in funding is required to allow therapists to run therapeutic groups for community dwellers with ABI.