Author ORCID Identifier

0009-0005-4866-4230

Document Type

Capstone

Publication Date

Spring 4-28-2026

Keywords

pediatric primary care, occupational therapy, feasibility study

Abstract

The objective of this capstone project was to assess the feasibility of implementing occupational therapy (OT) services within a pediatric primary care office using a manualized service delivery approach. Occupational therapy is inherently grounded in parent coaching and education, positioning the profession to play a critical role in supporting families and promoting early identification of developmental risk. This project aimed to address a documented gap in the inclusion of OT within pediatric primary care by exploring how OT services can support parenting skills and monitor children identified as at risk for developmental, behavioral, or psychosocial concerns. The project was conducted in two phases. Phase one involved a comprehensive needs assessment to examine the perspectives and needs of parents and physicians, as well as logistical considerations including available space, funding mechanisms, and existing resources within pediatricians’ offices. Phase two focused on evaluating feasibility through the development of a comprehensive OT practice manual designed to guide future clinicians in delivering services in this setting. The manual outlines recommended service structures, theoretical and practice models, documentation methods, interprofessional collaboration strategies, and considerations for financial sustainability. Findings from this project support the potential feasibility of OT integration in pediatric primary care and provide a replicable framework for occupational therapists seeking to expand into this emerging area of practice.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.

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