abstract: 'Introduction: In most Western countries occupational therapy is well

  established as a crucial aspect of overall health care; however, in

  low-middle-income countries it is still an emerging profession. This

  article investigates the role of occupational therapy in the Solomon

  Islands by examining the experiences and perceptions of occupational

  therapists (OTs) and other rehabilitation health workers who have worked

  there.

  Methods: Using a qualitative research design, participants were

  recruited using purposive sampling, and data were gathered through

  in-depth interviews, diary entries and observations of an occupational

  therapy setting in the Solomon Islands. Ten participants were

  interviewed.

  Results: A significant role in health-promoting practices was revealed

  through the various tasks undertaken by OTs in the Solomon Islands,

  including influencing health policy and practice broadly through

  advocacy and education. Challenges relating to geography, cultural,

  language and resource barriers, and professional practice issues were

  identified. Implications for practice were drawn from the data including

  the need for culturally safe practice, pragmatism, creativity and

  practising across disciplinary boundaries.

  Conclusions: Results illustrate a clear role for occupational therapy in

  promoting health and sustainability of rehabilitation therapy services

  in the Solomon Islands, which also have relevance throughout Pacific

  island nations.'
affiliation: 'Gray, M (Corresponding Author), Univ Sunshine Coast, Fac Sci Hlth \&
  Educ, Sch Hlth \& Sport Sci, Maroochydore, Qld 4558, Australia.

  Boseto, Hensllyn, ESSI, POB 180, Gizo, Western Provinc, Solomon Islands.

  Gray, Marion, Univ Sunshine Coast, Fac Sci Hlth \& Educ, Sch Hlth \& Sport Sci,
  Maroochydore, Qld 4558, Australia.

  Langmead, Ruth, Curtin Univ, Fac Hlth Sci, Sch Occupat Therapy \& Social Work, Perth,
  WA 6845, Australia.'
article-number: '5376'
author: Boseto, Hensllyn and Gray, Marion and Langmead, Ruth
author-email: mgray67@hotmail.com
author_list:
- family: Boseto
  given: Hensllyn
- family: Gray
  given: Marion
- family: Langmead
  given: Ruth
da: '2023-09-28'
doi: 10.22605/RRH5376
files: []
issn: 1445-6354
journal: RURAL AND REMOTE HEALTH
keywords: 'community based rehabilitation; developing countries; health promotion;

  occupational therapy; Solomon Islands'
language: English
number: '4'
number-of-cited-references: '27'
papis_id: 147c44585ce656edfdde6ee2318a43e2
ref: Boseto2019roleoccupational
times-cited: '1'
title: 'The role occupational therapy in the Solomon Islands: experiences and perceptions
  of occupational therapists and rehabilitation health workers'
type: article
unique-id: WOS:000499078400016
usage-count-last-180-days: '0'
usage-count-since-2013: '8'
volume: '19'
web-of-science-categories: Public, Environmental \& Occupational Health
year: '2019'