When an occupational therapist finds no one at a scheduled house visit, what should be the therapist's best course of action?

When an occupational therapist arrives for a scheduled house visit and finds no one at home, documenting that no one answered and rescheduling is the most appropriate course of action. This approach ensures that the therapist maintains an accurate record of the interaction, which is essential for ongoing treatment planning and can be important for legal and ethical considerations.

In documenting the visit, the therapist provides evidence of their attempt to engage with the client and acknowledges the need to follow up. Rescheduling allows the therapist to reconnect with the client and continue the therapeutic process without assuming any assumptions about the client’s absence.

While leaving a note at the door or contacting a neighbor for information might seem like proactive measures, they do not create an official record of the visit and may not respect the client's privacy or preferences. Calling the client’s phone is also an option but could be less effective if the client is unable to take the call or does not have access to their phone at the time. Rescheduling ensures that there is deliberate action taken to engage the client in the therapy process, which is ultimately in the best interest of the client's care.