Recreational Therapy: An IntroductionChapter14: Issues and Trends

PowerPoint Slides

Three periods in RT

The 1950s and 1960s when RT professionals displayed a passion for caring for underserved populations and that saw the emergence of using recreation as a tool for treatment.

The 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, which saw the professionalization of RT.

The temporary state of equilibrium experienced during the 21st century.

Issues and Trends Chapter and Rejuvenation of the RT profession

Now is the time for the RT profession to rejuvenate itself.

That is what the Issues and Trends Chapter is about: moving the profession forward by meeting the issues with which it is faced and reacting positively to trends that will influence its practice.

Issues

Issues involve problems or concerns over which two opposing pints of view often exist.

Trends

Trends are developing tendencies that are taking RT in new directions.

Issues for the RT profession

An issue: What is RT?

A means

An end

The issue of not professing for RT

RTs are helping professionals of value and worth who bring about therapeutic benefits for clients and should profess the value and worth of their profession.

At a minimum, RT professionals should show a commitment to their profession by joining their professional association. Yet, of the credentialed RTs in the U.S., only 15% belong to their national professional organization, ATRA.

Lack of PhD prepared faculty: A key issue

There exists a severe shortage of RT faculty with terminal degrees (i.e., doctoral degrees).

This issue is becoming apparent to RT professionals and must be addressed.

Without an adequate number of well-prepared faculty, the profession is unlikely to move forward.

Issue of the degree level for entrance to practice

The bachelor’s degree has remained the entry-level requirement for RTs for over 70 years.

Many kindred professions (e.g., PT, OT) now require graduate degrees as entry-level degrees.

The RT profession is beginning to investigate whether a master’s degree in RT should be the entry-level degree requirement.

Trends Affecting Recreational Therapy

Increasing use of the term recreational therapy

There is a trend today for the term recreational therapy to enjoy greater use.

Reflective of this trend are the following: the name change to the Southeast Recreational Therapy Symposium (from Southeast Therapeutic Recreation Symposium), the use of the term in the title of the new honorific society named the National Academy of Recreational Therapists, the use of the term in state licensure laws, the use of the term by many state and regional RT associations, and the use of the term to identify a number of leading university professional preparation programs.

Uniform and rigorous professional preparation programs

University professional preparation programs appear to be trending toward greater uniformity and more rigor.

Documents have provided a stronger basis for curricula. These include Curriculum Planning for Recreational Therapy Practice (published by ATRA) and Standards and Guidelines for the Accreditation of Educational Programs in Recreational Therapy (published by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs).

Theory-based practice

There is a trend within RT today for theory to inform practice.

Conceptual models provide the theory base for RT.

Because conceptual models are the theoretical basis for RT, they serve to define and guide the practice RTs.

Evidence-based practice (EBP)

The concept of evidence-based practice (EBP) has been in the RT literature for more than a decade and today EBP is being embraced by RTs.

Three principle components make up EBP: research findings, the RT’s expertise, and client preferences.

Outcome measures

The trend toward the use of outcome measures, with demands for accountability and EBP, will require RTs to become more sophisticated in measuring the outcomes of their services.

RTs will need to be well prepared in the understanding and using outcome measurement tools to remain relevant allied health professionals.

Positive psychology & strength-based approach

Positive psychology, which promotes a strength-based approach, serves as a philosophical foundation for several of today’s conceptual models. The inclusion of positive psychology as an element affecting the theory and practice of RT is a definite trend.

Positive psychology’s focus is on what is right with people, not what is wrong.

Applied positive psychologists work both to alleviate distress and to promote optimal functioning.

Positive psychology does not replace more problem-focused or deficit-based paradigms but it is a complementary and important dimension to understand the full range of human experience.

International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF)

The ICF was developed by the World Health Organization as a departure from the traditional medical model. Its system of classification provides a common language for functioning, disability, and health.

Its focus is on functioning, not disability.

It allows persons with impairments to be viewed as being “healthy” even though they may have a health condition (e.g., chronic illness) as long as they are functioning well.

Because the ICF fits well with the biopsychosocial model generally followed by RTs, it has been well accepted within recreational therapy.

Technology

The therapeutic use of technology in RT is an emerging trend.

Examples of the use of technology in RT interventions include video games, video productions, computers, Snoezelen rooms, robotic therapy, and assistive technology.

Aging population and chronic conditions

The populations of the U.S. and Canada are rapidly aging.

Accompanying the aging process are chronic conditions such as arthritis, multiple sclerosis, obesity, cardiovascular disease, strokes, cancer, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and muscular dystrophy.

To meet the health needs of the increasingly elderly population experiencing chronic conditions, RTs must expand services to this population.

Growing Number of Persons with Disabilities

Both the U.S. and Canada have growing numbers of persons with disabilities.

Thus, a trend for RTs will be serving the growing numbers of persons with disabilities. Many of these persons will be military veterans who served in combat.

Community-based services

The majority of elderly with chronic health concerns and persons with disabilities will reside in the community rather than in institutions.

To serve these and other populations needing healthcare, RTs will have to follow an already apparent healthcare trend to offer community-based services.

Even with the trend toward community-based services, the need for long term care will likely call for growth in the number of long-term care beds in coming years.

Health care reform

Even though the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was passed in 2010 to reform health care in the U.S., the exact future of health care remains unknown.

Whatever policies direct health care in America, they will affect RT.

It is projected the future of health services in the U.S. will continue to value care that is supported by evidence, integrated across all service providers, provided in the least costly environment, and focused on maintaining health over treating disease.