Sense of Difficulties Experienced by Japanese Occupational Therapists in Cancer Rehabilitation

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to identify the difficulties experienced by occupational therapists during cancer rehabilitation, and explore potential solutions.

Methods: Eighteen occupational therapists with experience in cancer rehabilitation were interviewed, and the interviews were analyzed and synthesized using qualitative research methods.

Results: A total of 206 primary, 60 secondary, and 12 tertiary category themes were identified. These themes were discussed from three perspectives: “Related to the practice of occupational therapy,” “Related to occupational therapists themselves,” and “The environment surrounding the occupational therapist.”

Conclusions: Occupational therapists in Japan have multiple difficulties in cancer rehabilitation because few of them specialize in cancer. Therefore, their sense of difficulties could be reduced by improving their pre and post graduate education as well as for nurses who had similar problems.