The value of the occupational therapy workforce in primary care: A rapid review.

This article focuses on the evidence regarding the role and impact of occupational therapists in primary care settings, particularly within the United Kingdom and internationally. A rapid review of 16 studies, including randomized controlled trials and mixed-methods research, examined interventions such as falls prevention, frailty services, lifestyle self-management programs, medication adherence, vocational clinics, and mindfulness programs. The findings suggest that occupational therapy in primary care can positively influence patient experience, health, and well-being, especially in falls and frailty interventions, though results are mixed and not consistently sustained. The review highlights gaps in high-quality evidence, cost-effectiveness data, and research on occupational therapy's role in addressing health inequalities, advocating for standardized definitions and frameworks to guide future studies and service development.