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Some simple changes I have been a part of have been as simple as adding handrails,
ramps for wheelchairs, hand controls verses foot controls, using a webcam for
backing up and attaching equipment to tractors/pickups and assisting the farmer in
getting an automatic hitch so the individual would not have to get out of the tractor or
pickup. Also assisting individuals in buying utility vehicles could help these
individuals with carrying heavy items to and from their destinations would greatly
reduce farm related injuries as well.
7. Would farmers be more willing to have OTs come to their farms and provide suggestions
to them, do various assessments in their farm environment and providing treatment
sessions at their farm verses going to a clinic?
Yes, it is important for OT services to go to the environment and actually see how
the farmer must perform and work in order to get the farming job done safely.
Interviewee #2: Stacy Smallfield, DrOT, MSOT, OTR/L, BCG
Reason for Interviewing: Stacy Smallfield is an occupational therapy educator, researcher, and
practitioner. She has knowledge of farmers with disabilities.
Type of Interview: Phone Interview
Duration of Interview: 17 minutes
Background Information: Stacy Smallfield is an associate college professor at the University
of South Dakota and she teaches occupational therapy courses, she is an evidence-based practice
researcher and an Occupational Therapy practitioner.
Interviewee #2: Stacy Smallfield
CAT Interview Questions
Interviewer: Abbey
1
Would farmers use OT services if they were aware what OTs can provide?
Yes, more education and advocacy to farmers would be beneficial to them.
Are you able to incorporate farm related tasks in your therapy sessions?
Occupational therapist dependent and also depends on resources and funding
available to therapist and farmer.
Would farmers be more willing to have OTs come to their farms and provide suggestions
to them, do various assessments in their farm environment and providing treatment
sessions at their farm verses going to a clinic?
Client/farmer dependent
Is it a difficult process for farmers to get assistive technology? How much does it cost?
Grant availabilities/financial support?
Important for OT to work cooperatively with the farmer and to use the farmers
problem solving knowledge to figure out what is best for the farmer. Assistive
technology is usually not covered by medical insurance.
Have you assisted farmers with the process of obtaining assistive technology? What
organization did you use?
No, but she has seen what farmers can use and what some farmers she knows
have used for years.
10 Do you see more children coming in with farm related disabilities verses adult farmers?
Children on farms are a concern, but she has not worked or seen this directly and
she stated that it is important for Occupational Therapists to educate parents and
children on safety around the farm.
11 What types of farm-related child injuries have you seen?
She does not work in a clinical setting and has not seen any children with farm
related injuries.
12 Have you done on the farm evaluations and made modifications?
No, she teaches and has not complete farm evaluations or made modifications
recently.
13 What are some ergonomic changes that could be made for farmers to reduce and decrease
the risk of farm related injuries?
When farmers have the need they will usually look into it themselves, but if they
have an occupational therapist with them it is more beneficial to them. It is
important to educate farmers on ergonomics as well.
14 Have you provided ergonomic evaluations and modifications to farmers before?
Examples?
No, she has not done this due to the fact that she teaches and does not work in a
clinical setting at the moment.
Interview Summary
I feel like both the interviews went very well. I was prepared for both of the phone interviews
and I did have to change a few of my questions on the spot and also omit questions that were not
relevant to the interviewee. I mentioned to both of the interviewees that I was working on
competing and evidence-based practice research question that would be a final poster
presentation; they did not expand on this after I mentioned it.
I learned that occupational therapy professionals can have a significant impact in providing
farmers with disabilities farm related therapy services. There are not very many skilled
occupational therapy professionals currently working with farmers with disabilities due to the
fact that most farmers live in very rural areas and may not have access to skilled occupational
therapy services. This is an area where occupational therapy professionals could focus and
expand on. I feel that if farmers had a greater understanding of what occupational therapy was
and had open access to occupational therapy services they would be able to seek occupational
therapy services they may need. Education and explaining the meaning and purpose behind
occupational therapys goal in assisting farmers to be more independent with farming has a
significant impact on the willingness of farmers seeking and participating in therapy treatment
sessions. If the farmers understand an occupational therapists therapy goals for them, then they
will be even more motivated to actively participate in the therapy sessions. Education is huge.
I also learned more about AgrAbility and assistive technology and how it works. AgrAbility and
their employees work with vocational rehabilitation services, occupational and physical
therapists to ensure their clients get the farm assistive equipment that they need in order for them
to be as independent with farming as possible. AgrAbility employees and occupational therapists
will assist farmers in the process of attaining the assistive technology equipment and also assist
in the process of writing grants and applying for various financial resources. Assistive
technology is expensive and sometimes difficult to obtain, but with time and assistance from
occupational therapists and AgrAbility services it is possible to get the assistive technology
equipment that the farmer needs. Some simple, inexpensive modifications that can also be made
for farmers include; adding hand rails, ramps, and hand controls. There are multiple ways in
which farmers can continue to be successful and independent with farming.