The COVID-19 pandemic, and ensuing physical distancing measures, poses challenges for researchers in the field of interprofessional care. Pandemic management has highlighted the centrality of interprofessional working to effective healthcare delivery during crises. It is essential to find ways to maintain interprofessional research that has commenced, while also designing research to capture important learning from pandemic management and response. However, it also creates opportunities for new research projects and novel research designs. This discussion paper explores ways of adapting existing research methodologies and outlines potential avenues for new research. Specifically, considerations to bear in mind when designing interprofessional research during the pandemic include research ethics and integrity, research design, data collection methods, research opportunities, implications and limitations. Interprofessional research can continue to make a valuable contribution in informing global responses to COVID-19 and in planning for future global health crises. We call for, insofar as possible, for interprofessional research to continue to be developed during this time.

For the past more than 50 years, the World Health Organisation has acknowledged through empirical findings that health workers that learn together work together effectively to provide the best care for their patients. This study aimed to: (1) describe the perceived extent of interprofessional education (IPE) experience among Filipino occupational therapists (OTs), physical therapists (PTs), and speech-language-pathologists (SLPs); (2) identify their attitudes towards interprofessional collaboration (IPC); and (3) compare their attitudes towards IPC according to: prior IPE experience, classification of IPE experience, profession, years of practice, and practice setting. Using a cross-sectional survey design, a two-part questionnaire was sent to Filipino OTs, PTs, and SLPs working in the Philippines via an online survey application. The first part of the survey contained eight items of demographic information and the second part contained the 14-item Attitudes Towards Health Care Teams Scale (ATHCTS). Findings revealed that among the Filipino OT, PT and SLP respondents (n = 189), 70.9% had prior experience on IPE. Moreover, the three most commonly used IPE teaching-learning strategies were case discussion (clinical setting), small group discussion, didactics, and case discussion (community setting), while the use of didactics and case discussion (community setting) yielded more agreeable attitudes towards IPC. Among the 14 items in the ATHCTS, 11 were rated with agreeability and three items with neutrality. For professional variables, only the practice setting variable yielded a statistically significant finding confirming those working in the academia to be more agreeable towards IPC compared to other settings. However, years of practice and professional background variables both yielded no statistically significant difference implying no association between years of practice and attitude towards IPC and a homogenous composition among respondents, respectively. The results of this research are to springboard IPE initiatives within Philippine higher education institutions to enable evidence-based IPC approaches in clinical practice.

Introduction There is a need to engage in critical reflection and reflexivity to deconstruct ableist conceptualisations and practices in occupational therapy. Objectives: 1) to discuss ableism as a social construction within a practice system, 2) to deconstruct ableist mechanisms employed within occupational therapy practice, and 3) to propose inclusive and justice-oriented practices that can improve patterns of practices within the occupational therapy profession. Method Online discussions and reflective writing, producing critical reflections, were done to curate our experiences and insights based on our personal and professional experiences, thoughts, and observations as Filipino occupational therapy practitioners. Critical reflexivity was seen both as process and output to address the research objectives. Findings Despite the efforts of scholars, educators, and practitioners in employing inclusive and justice-oriented occupational therapy practices, ableism continues to proliferate through overt and covert mechanisms within professional practices. Conclusion As the occupational therapy profession continues to evolve, practitioners are expected to be critically reflective and reflexive to mitigate discriminatory practices and promote inclusive and participatory practices today and beyond. This article hopes to serve as an eye-opener for occupational therapy practitioners and reconsider their doings, knowings, and sayings in their present and future practice.

Background: Stroke is a leading cause for long-term disability, requiring both inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation and self-training in the home environment. Technology-based tools are gradually gaining acceptance as additional and suitable options for extending the rehabilitation process. While the experiences of persons living with stroke, therapists, and informal caregivers with respect to technology use have already been investigated in other countries, this topic is underexplored in the Swiss context. Objective: We aimed to explore the experiences and needs of persons living with stroke, informal caregivers, and therapists in using technology-based tools in a home environment for stroke rehabilitation in Switzerland. Methods: This study followed a qualitative descriptive methodology, including semistructured interviews and focus group discussions. We applied a deductive template analysis alongside the accessibility, adaptability, accountability, and engagement framework to analyze the qualitative data sets for technology-assisted solutions for poststroke rehabilitation. Results: We collected the experiences and needs of persons living with stroke (7/23, 30%), informal caregivers (4/23, 17%), and therapists (occupational and physical therapists; 12/23, 52%). The 4 categories we used to organize the analysis and results were accessibility to quality rehabilitation, adaptability to patient differences, accountability or compliance with rehabilitation, and engagement with rehabilitation. Persons living with stroke stated that they use various tools within their rehabilitation process depending on their specific needs. They felt that there is a plethora of tools available but sometimes felt overwhelmed with the selection process. Informal caregivers indicated that they generally felt underserved and insufficiently informed throughout the rehabilitation process. They reported that they use technology-based tools to support their relatives affected by stroke in becoming more independent. Therapists appreciate the numerous possible applications of technology-based tools in rehabilitation. At the same time, however, they express dissatisfaction with the lack of clarity in Switzerland regarding cost coverage, recommendations, and training opportunities. Conclusions: Persons living with stroke, informal caregivers, and therapists in Switzerland reported varied and unique experiences and needs with the use of technology-based tools in outpatient stroke rehabilitation. Written recommendations, the assumption of financial costs, and the provision of information and education could foster increased confidence in the use of technology-based tools for patients and therapists.

The Philippine War on Drugs policies of “neutralization” of drug-related activity has resulted in the deaths of over 9,000 people suspected of drug-related crime. These measures are claimed to be necessary for the sake of productivity, peace, and order. Drawing on concepts of occupational justice, this paper examines distinct historical, social, and cultural values underlying notions of productivity and work ethic, and the influence of these values on the Philippine War on Drugs political rhetoric. Looking at drug use as a non-sanctioned occupation, according to occupation-related concepts of form, function, and meaning, it becomes apparent that drug use may, in some ways, conform to Filipino social norms, values, and moral standards, such as to enhance productivity and economic participation. We contend that, contrary to government claims, the War on Drugs has contributed to occupational injustices, particularly occupational apartheid and occupational marginalization. We propose that country- and culture-specific scholarship about drug use that encompasses considerations of spiritual health, occupational justice, and occupational rights can enrich humane policies and practices. Re-examination of drug use policies and practices in drug rehabilitation through an occupational lens may contribute to occupationally just possibilities for Filipino citizens.

The Philippines is one of the first countries globally to impose cordon sanitaire due to the COVID-19 virus outbreak. The situation led Filipino occupational therapists (OTs) to adapt to the consequences of this global pandemic to continue performing their personal and professional roles. While virtual-based and alternative modalities for client care were suggested, OTs are still experiencing challenges in implementing them. In response, an online forum with 30 minutes of online discussion was conducted by a group of OTs to share their voices about their personal and professional dispositions, strategies employed to continue practice, and implications of COVID-19 to the profession’s practice. Data were collected and analysed. This case study described some key themes that emerged from the online discussion using a questionnaire. Findings revealed feelings of isolation and exclusion among therapists and clients, increased awareness of alternative options to continue servicing clients, and the emancipation of ideas and reflections to guide sustainable actions in occupational therapy education, practice, and policy at present and for the future.