Maine Home Health United: an online community of practice to support home health occupational therapy practitioners in Maine
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Abstract
Home health services are medical services provided in the home by a skilled licensed provider (Rural Health Research Center, 2017). Evidence shows that health professionals in rural home health settings experience high levels of stress, isolation, and burnout (Manson et al., 2020). Occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) are critical members of the home health care team (Roots and Li, 2013). In the state of Maine, an overall aging workforce and patient population, coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic and recent vaccine mandates, have led to severe staffing shortages in all aspects of healthcare. Due to these factors, home health OT practice in Maine has proven to be challenging and ever changing. As a result, Maine home health OTPs often lack knowledge and confidence when providing care to their patients in the homecare settings. Currently, there are no formal support systems for Maine home health OTPs to gain needed knowledge and provide guidance for these issues. As a result, Maine home health OTPs often report increased episodes of professional burnout and poor job satisfaction.
Communities of practice (COPs) have been shown to facilitate peer communication and knowledge sharing, reduce isolation, and increase intention to work in rural areas (Bikinesi et al., 2020, p. 2). The Maine Home Health United program aims to connect Maine home health OTPs through an online COP. It will consist of two components: 1) a Project ECHO® (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) education series using the Zoom platform, and 2) the establishment of a WhatsApp multimedia group. Engaging in Maine Home Health United has the potential to increase connectivity, social support, and feelings of belonging among members by learning and sharing knowledge. This connection has the potential to improve overall confidence with service delivery and in turn, decrease rates of professional burnout and job satisfaction amongst Maine home health OTPs.
Description
2025