A Descriptive Survey on Occupational Therapy Caseload Management at Clinical Settings in Bangladesh

Background: Caseload management is powerful managerial tool for any professionals who work in health & medical sector. Similarly occupational therapist should consider the caseload management guidelines as they have huge client group. The purpose of this study is to determine existing occupational therapy caseload management strategies in Bangladesh.

Method: In this study a descriptive survey was done on 115 qualified clinical occupational therapists in hospital, school and private practice and community-based rehabilitation settings by using written structured questionnaire. Comprehensive sampling procedure was followed to select participants.

Result: In result of this study present that the view on caseload management is differ among clinical occupational therapists. They are considering some other issues such as workload and case management which are interrelated with caseload management. The study also found so many strategies are followed to manage caseload in various situations by individual therapist or organization. Thus, the common strategies are followed specific time table, arrange group therapy, manipulation of therapy & therapy time, shift appointment to other therapists or other staffs, consider waiting list & weighting score, prioritize patients according to complexity & type of patient, inform & discuss with supervisor, cancel appointment.

Conclusion: The existing caseload management is varied from organization to organization. However, combination of four ratio, case-mix, procedural and care-based methodology will be more effective and it will ensure quality service in context of Bangladesh.