Determining the “other related duties” of therapeutic recreation and activity professionals: A pilot study

Abstract

Therapeutic Recreation (TR) professionals are increasingly being asked to perform "other related duties" beyond the traditional scope of their practice. This article presents a pilot study of TR practitioners in Pennsylvania designed to determine the nature of these other duties and respondents' perceptions of their impact. Findings suggest that professionals, on average, spend twenty percent of their work time on "other related duties." Specific duties include tasks in the areas of Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), agency-wide events, committee service, general duties, education/treatment, safety, and administrative duties. Respondents generally viewed these duties as making a positive impact on their job experience in a variety of contexts. The article concludes with implications for further research and for curriculum revision.