Thesis Proposal Occupational Therapist in Spain Valencia – Free Word Template Download with AI

The evolving healthcare landscape in Spain necessitates innovative approaches to address the growing demands of an aging population and the rising prevalence of chronic conditions. Within this context, the role of the Occupational Therapist (OT) remains critically underutilized within primary healthcare systems across Spain, particularly in Valencia. While occupational therapy is a well-established profession globally for promoting health and participation through engagement in meaningful activities, its integration into Spain's primary care model lags behind international best practices. This thesis proposal seeks to investigate the current state, barriers, and opportunities for enhancing the role of the Occupational Therapist within primary healthcare settings in Valencia, Spain. The research will directly address a significant gap identified by the Spanish Ministry of Health (2023) report on rehabilitation services and aligns with Valencian regional health priorities outlined in the "Plan de Salud de la Comunitat Valenciana 2025". Understanding how to effectively deploy OTs in Valencia is crucial for optimizing patient outcomes, reducing healthcare costs, and fulfilling Spain's commitment to person-centered care.

Spain’s National Health System (SNS) provides universal coverage, but primary care remains the cornerstone for managing chronic conditions and promoting community-based health. In Valencia, the region faces specific demographic pressures: approximately 18% of its population is aged 65+, a figure projected to rise significantly by 2030 (INE, 2023). This aging cohort drives increased demand for rehabilitation services focused on maintaining independence in daily living activities – precisely the domain of the Occupational Therapist. However, despite legislative recognition (Ley General de Sanidad, 1986; Law on Professional Regime of Healthcare Workers), OTs in Spain are predominantly concentrated within hospital settings or specialized rehabilitation centers. Their presence and defined role within Valencia's Primary Care Units (Centros de Salud) remain minimal and inconsistent across the region. A recent survey by the Spanish Association of Occupational Therapists (AETE, 2022) highlighted that only 15% of OTs in Spain work directly within primary care networks, with significantly lower rates reported in Valencian Autonomous Community compared to other regions like Catalonia or Andalusia.

The core problem this thesis addresses is the inefficient utilization of Occupational Therapist expertise within Valencia's primary healthcare infrastructure, leading to suboptimal management of patients with chronic conditions (e.g., stroke, arthritis, dementia), functional decline, and complex social needs. Current models often rely on fragmented care pathways where OTs are consulted late or not at all in community settings. This results in preventable hospital readmissions, increased caregiver burden, reduced quality of life for patients, and unnecessary strain on secondary care resources – all significant concerns within the Valencian healthcare system facing budgetary pressures. The specific research gap lies in the lack of localized, evidence-based studies examining the *practical* integration models for Occupational Therapist within Valencia's unique primary care structure. National studies offer limited insights applicable to Valencia's specific administrative context, cultural nuances, and resource allocation patterns.

1. To comprehensively map the current deployment, roles, and service pathways of Occupational Therapist within Primary Care Units (Centros de Salud) across diverse settings in Valencia (urban/rural, different health districts).
2. To identify key stakeholders' (Occupational Therapists, Primary Care Physicians, Nurses, Administrators) perceptions regarding the barriers to effective integration and facilitators for success.
3. To analyze the impact of current OT service models on specific patient outcomes (e.g., functional independence measures like Barthel Index, self-reported quality of life) and system efficiency (e.g., referral patterns, hospital utilization rates).
4. To develop a context-specific, evidence-based framework for optimizing the integration and role definition of Occupational Therapist within Primary Healthcare Systems in Spain Valencia.

This study will employ a mixed-methods sequential explanatory design to ensure robust and contextually relevant findings.

• Phase 1 (Quantitative): A cross-sectional survey will be administered to all Occupational Therapists registered with the Valencian College of Occupational Therapy (COOT Valencia) and a representative sample of Primary Care Physicians/Nurses across 3 distinct Health Districts in Valencia (e.g., Valencia City, Castellón, Alicante). The survey will quantify current service provision, perceived barriers (resource limitations, lack of awareness, unclear protocols), and preliminary outcome data.
• Phase 2 (Qualitative): In-depth semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders (n=30) identified from Phase 1 will explore the nuances of barriers and facilitators. Focus groups with Occupational Therapists working in primary care settings within Valencia will also be conducted to co-create potential solutions. Thematic analysis will be used for data coding.
• Phase 3 (Analysis & Framework Development): Quantitative data will be analyzed using SPSS (descriptive statistics, chi-square tests). Qualitative data analysis will employ NVivo software for thematic extraction. Triangulation of findings from all phases will inform the development of the proposed integration framework, rigorously grounded in the Valencia context.

Research ethics approval will be sought from the Universitat de València Ethics Committee. All data collection will adhere strictly to Spanish data protection regulations (LOPDGDD).

This thesis holds significant potential for both academic advancement and tangible impact within Spain Valencia.

• Academic Contribution: It will provide the first comprehensive empirical study on OT integration specifically within Valencian primary care, enriching the limited body of knowledge on occupational therapy practice in Spain. Findings will contribute to healthcare management literature concerning professional role development in resource-constrained systems.
• Practical Impact (Valencia & Spain): The proposed framework is designed for direct applicability. It aims to inform the Valencian Health Department (Conselleria de Sanitat) and national bodies like the Ministry of Health regarding policy adjustments, training needs, and resource allocation strategies to better integrate Occupational Therapist into primary care. Successful implementation in Valencia could serve as a model for other regions within Spain seeking to enhance their primary healthcare capacity.
• Professional Development: The research will clarify the evolving role of the Occupational Therapist within Spain's SNS, supporting professional advocacy and contributing to future curriculum development for OT education programs across Spain.

The integration of the Occupational Therapist into primary healthcare systems represents a strategic imperative for enhancing the quality, efficiency, and person-centeredness of care delivery in Valencia, Spain. This Thesis Proposal outlines a rigorous research plan designed to move beyond theoretical discussion and generate actionable insights specific to the Valencian context. By systematically examining current practices, stakeholder perspectives, and outcomes within Spain's unique healthcare framework in Valencia, this study will provide critical evidence to empower policymakers and practitioners. Ultimately, the successful realization of this research promises not only a more effective role for the Occupational Therapist but also a significant step towards building a more sustainable, responsive, and human-centered healthcare system for the people of Valencia and potentially across Spain. This work directly responds to current regional health strategies and addresses an urgent need within Spain's evolving healthcare paradigm.

• AETE (Asociación Española de Terapia Ocupacional). (2022). *Informe sobre la Situación Profesional del Terapeuta Ocupacional en España*. Madrid.
• Ministerio de Sanidad. (2023). *Informe Anual Sistema Nacional de Salud*. Madrid.
• Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE). (2023). *Población por edad y sexo en la Comunitat Valenciana*. Madrid.
• Conselleria de Sanitat. (2023). *Plan de Salut de la Comunitat Valenciana 2025: Prioritats Estratègiques*. Valencia.
• World Health Organization. (2019). *Global Report on Occupational Therapy*. Geneva.

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