Introduction / Rationale: There are several factors that are indicators for post-operative recovery in patients who undergo elective orthopedic procedures. In patients with comorbidities or cognitive issues, rehabilitation can be extremely challenging. However, patients and families often believe their quality of life will be improved while not recognizing the cognitive and physical demands associated with the recovery process. This presentation will discuss the ethical issues faced by occupational therapists providing rehabilitation care to post-operative patients with dementia.
Objectives:
Describe the ethical considerations in elective orthopedic procedures in patients with dementia.
Explain the reasons for cognitive evaluation prior to determining candidacy for elective orthopedic procedures.
Demonstrate the need for interprofessional collaboration to optimize post-operative outcomes and recovery in patients with neurological deficits
Methods / Approach: Preventative education, interdisciplinary team approaches, and family meetings for goals of care discussion to determine the most appropriate intervention plan for each patient in understanding their lived experiences before proceeding with an elective surgery that may not improve a patient’s quality of life.
Results / Practice Implications: Occupational therapists offer a unique, holistic perspective that may contribute to more appropriate medical recommendations regarding elective orthopedic procedures and individuals with dementia that may have not been considered by the medical team.
Conclusion / Contribution to the occupational therapy profession: Occupational therapy practitioners may experience moral distress when they encounter ethical situations in clinical practice. Advocacy, interdisciplinary collaboration, and education where occupational therapists can speak to non-medical factors that affect patient care is imperative to successful rehabilitation outcomes.