Program Development: Expanding Occupational Therapy Services to Address Driving and Community Mobility
Expanding occupational therapy programs and services requires an understanding of current services and needs, services available in the community and a plan for program growth to address unmet needs. The following resources were developed for this purpose.
Determine Need
Susan Pierce, OTR/l, SCDCM, CDRS offered webinar describing aspects af assessing current programs and future needs. The webinar is available to you in PowerPoint format below.
Staff Education
Understanding what driving rehabilitation is and the services it provides is a first step to expanding programs and services the following two version of the same seminar (estimated time required to offer this seminar 1.5 hour and one 6 hour) offer a comprehensive description of the array of services offered in a well established program. These seminars could be modified to match the services available locally or to facilitate program goal setting when determining what specialized services programs would like OT have available for their clients.
Developing a Business Plan
The pro forma is a critical element in program development. The more extensive and expensive the program, the greater the requirement will usually be in terms of detail and analysis for the business plan. The pro forma can be the heart of a business plan. It requires a comprehensive look at estimating business volume initially and in subsequent years along with associated revenue. The expenses should include salary, supplies, purchased services, utilities, travel and educational expenses, etc. with annotated documentation distinguishing start-up expenses and ongoing costs. The Sample Pro Forma Spreadsheet can be utilized as a tool for prospective programs. It contains formulas and suggestions for expense inclusion. Various pricing options can also be tested that will produce a projected net revenue.
Developing Referral Pathways
How to decide what evaluation and intervention services are within the scope of practice and training of the generalist and what responsibilities fall to the driving rehabilitation specialist requires thoughtful examination and the development of a referral pathway. Those responsibilities that fall within the expertise of a generalist should be acted upon and the client with advanced needs deserves access to specialized service via referral.
The following algorithm, (in press, scheduled for Feb 2011 AJOT) was modified for application to the skills and abilities of one program. Consider modifying this algorithm of decisions and actions to access the experts and services available in your community (or surrounding areas).
This Driving Rehabilitation Program Development Toolkit is the product of a cooperative agreement between the American Occupational Therapy Association and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
