Interdisciplinary activity between occupational therapists and speech language pathologists.

The interdisciplinary activities between occupational therapists (OTs) and speech language pathologists (SLPs) were studied by conducting a national mail survey. Analysis of data gathered from 344 OTs and 262 SLPs (n = 1250 and n = 1130, respectively), indicated strikingly similar responses. Results showed that OTs and SLPs in the medical setting had frequent informal contacts, but interdisciplinary activity was not typical of formal job descriptions. According to 84% of OTs and 91% of SLPs, the most common activity involved exchange of diagnostic information, while 66.6% of both groups identified cooperative planning as typical of their interactions. Only 33.3% of each professional group responded that team treatment characterized interactions. Approximately 50% of the respondents felt that interactions were self-motivated and that the amount of interdisciplinary activity was satisfactory. The data suggested improvement needs are primarily qualitative rather than quantitative, and the primary limiting factors reported by both groups included staff shortages, financial constraints, and physical locations.