Exploring the Sustainability of Home Modifications and Adaptations in Occupational Therapy

Background. Many occupational therapists make home modification recommendations; however, it is unknown if sustainability considerations (i.e., economic, social, and environmental) are contemplated during this process. Purpose. To understand occupational therapists' perceptions regarding the sustainability of home modifications. Method. This study adopted a qualitative description approach. Researchers utilized semistructured interviews as the primary means of data collection. Findings. The ten female occupational therapists interviewed had three or more years of experience working with home modifications. The analysis identified three themes: It's not easy being green: environmental sustainability, stretching a dollar: financial inequities, and barriers and benefits in the home modification process.Implications. Findings suggest OTs have a varied and a general understanding of how to implement sustainability concepts in their practice. There is also a need to make access to home modifications more equitable. Further research is needed to build a more robust understanding of how OT recommended home modifications can contribute to sustainability. Resume Description. De nombreux ergotherapeutes font des recommandations en matiere d'adaptation du domicile; cependant, on ne sait pas si celles-ci tiennent compte des enjeux de durabilite (sur les plans economique, social et environnemental). But. Comprendre les perceptions des ergotherapeutes quant a la durabilite des modifications domiciliaires. Methodologie. Cette etude adopte une approche de description qualitative. Les chercheurs ont eu principalement recours a des entretiens semi-structures pour la collecte de donnees. Resultats. Les dix ergotherapeutes interrogees avaient toutes au moins trois ans d'experience en matiere de modifications domiciliaires. L'analyse a permis de recenser trois themes : Pas facile d'etre << vert >> : la durabilite environnementale; Les iniquites financieres; et Les obstacles et avantages dans le processus de modification domiciliaire. Consequences. Les resultats suggerent que les ergotherapeutes ont une comprehension a la fois generale et variable de la maniere d'integrer des concepts de durabilite a leurs pratiques. Il est egalement necessaire de rendre l'acces a des modifications du domicile plus equitable. Des recherches supplementaires seront necessaires pour mieux comprendre comment les recommandations de modifications domiciliaires presentees par les ergotherapeutes peuvent contribuer a la durabilite.