An Action Research Approach to Profile an Occupational Therapy Vocational Rehabilitation Service in Public Healthcare

Background Vocational rehabilitation is a multi-professional service provided to individuals of working age with health-related impairments, limitations or restrictions within work functioning. The primary aim of such a service is to optimise work participation in spite of illness or activity limitations1. In occupational therapy, concern with functional ability and purposeful activity are unique features2 that allow the profession an important place in vocational rehabilitation practice3. An effective occupational therapy vocational rehabilitation service assists the transition between injury, illness, impairment, disability and return to optimal functional ability in a work sphere. It bridges the gap between health institutions, which are usually the point of entry for an injured or sick worker, and the labour market4. South Africa’s Gauteng province has a high demand for vocational rehabilitation services. It is the hub of the country’s commerce and industry. Home to 30% of South Africa’s (SA) total population, its age distribution shows that 73% of this population is of working age5. In South Africa, 68% of the population depend entirely on public healthcare6. The effect of no or poor vocational rehabilita