Occupational Therapy in Palliative Care

Is Inpatient Occupational Therapy Perceived to be Beneficial by the Palliative Patient and Caregiver?

The goal of this research study is to learn if inpatient occupational therapy can help patients in the Palliative Care Unit (PCU).

Caregivers Consent:

If you agree to take part in this study, you will complete a questionnaire about your opinion on the inpatient occupational therapy session the patient (person you are caring for) received. It should take about 10 minutes to complete the questionnaire. You will be left alone in a room to complete the questionnaire.

Length of Study:

Your participation on this study will be over after you complete the questionnaire.

This is an investigational study.

50 patients and up to 50 caregivers will take part in this study. All will be enrolled at MD Anderson.

Patients Consent:

If you agree to take part in this study, you will complete a questionnaire about your opinion of the inpatient occupational therapy session you just had. The questionnaire should take about 10 minutes to complete. You will be left alone in the room to complete the questionnaire.

Length of Study:

You participation on this study will be over after you complete the questionnaire.

This is an investigational study.

50 patients and up to 50 caregivers will take part in this study. All will be enrolled at MD Anderson.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patients must have an inpatient occupational therapy (OT) order and be able to tolerate an OT session as judged by the attending physician
2. Patients with cancer admitted to inpatient acute palliative care unit
3. Caregiver participation is optional, but must be identified as the primary caregiver in order to complete the Caregiver Satisfaction Survey.
4. Caregiver (if participating) must be present during the session.
5. Patient (and caregiver (if participating) must be 18 years of age or older.
6. Both patient (and caregiver if participating) must be able to understand, read, write and speak English.
7. Both patient and caregiver (if participating) must sign an Informed Consent Form.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients or caregivers with physical limitations (visual or motor impairment) causing inability to read, complete or sign the consent form and survey.
2. Patients or caregivers who the attending physician deems unable to participate due to poor cognitive capacity or acute physical distress.