Final answer:
The description sought for the appropriate mix of OTs, OTAs, and service extenders to provide efficient care is known as a staffing ratio, which is key in healthcare for ensuring quality patient care and cost control.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept you are describing is best referred to as a staffing ratio. In the context of healthcare, particularly with Occupational Therapists (OTs), Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTAs), and service extenders or aides, the appropriate staffing ratio is crucial for delivering care that is both effective and cost-efficient. It encompasses the number of licensed professionals compared to support staff necessary to provide quality care without incurring unnecessary expenses. A staffing ratio is determined by evaluating patient care needs, the scope of practice for each healthcare worker, regulatory requirements, and financial considerations. An optimal ratio supports the healthcare system's goals of maximizing patient outcomes while controlling costs. For example, higher ratios of OTs to OTAs might be necessary for complex patient cases, whereas service extenders can be effectively utilized for routine tasks under supervision. The reference you provided, 'Dependency Ratios: Useful Policy-Making Tools?' by Bartram and Roe, suggests that understanding ratios is essential for health policy decision-making, which can be extrapolated to staffing considerations in healthcare settings.