Thera-Free: ten years of providing free and quality occupational therapy services to the underserved

Abstract

In many countries, occupational therapy services remain inaccessible and inequitably distributed. This results in entire communities and populations not being served. A possible solution to the problem is the program Thera-Free conceptualized in the Philippines. This article describes the program and how it has been used to address the shortage of occupational therapists in the country. A case study details how the program was implemented in an island province and the challenges the program has and continues to face. It describes the initiatives of two occupational therapists who worked with a private group of women and the community to bring Thera-Free to the island-province. Finally, strategies to move the program forward are offered.