bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Volunteerism as an Occupation and its Relationship to Health and Wellbeing
Authors: Black Wendy , Living Ruth
Published: April 2015

Occupational therapy philosophy asserts a positive relationship between occupation and health and aims to promote and restore health through enabling occupation. This study aimed to explore volunteerism as an occupation and its possible relationship to health and wellbeing from an occupational science perspective and to consider how this knowledge might be used to inform occupational therapy practice.

Qualitative and quantitative methods were used, with a sample of 109 volunteers. The qualitative data are presented here and comprise written responses to two open-ended questions. The first asked the volunteers about their motivations to volunteer (MTVs) and the second asked the volunteers to describe their personal experiences of volunteering (PEVs). These data were analysed to identify patterns of MTVs and themes relating to the costs and benefits of volunteering to health and wellbeing.

The findings revealed a range of MTVs, both altruistic and egoistic, as well as many and varied benefits of volunteering, providing some support for a positive relationship between volunteerism and health and wellbeing. Volunteering appeared to exert its positive effects predominantly on aspects of mental health by providing opportunities to increase confidence and self-esteem, gain social support, replace lost roles and feel included in community life. The pattern of benefits seemed to reflect the volunteers' motivations, suggesting that benefits to health may be mediated by the MTV; this was consistent with the occupational therapy philosophy that occupations need to be meaningful and purposeful to hold therapeutic value.

The article concludes that engaging in a volunteer role has many potential benefits to health and wellbeing, particularly to aspects of mental health. This may have implications for the occupational therapy profession. For occupational therapists working with clients experiencing mental health problems, there may be some therapeutic value in enabling their clients to engage in a volunteer role. Future research with occupational therapists working in this area could establish if volunteerism has been used as a therapeutic occupation and its outcomes, thereby informing occupational therapy practice.
Writing up Rigour: Representing and Evaluating Good Scholarship in Qualitative Research
Authors: Ballinger Claire
Published: April 2015

Qualitative research is a mode of inquiry with which many occupational therapists engage and which some claim is particularly suited to researching the complexity and richness of occupational therapy practice.

This paper, written as part of a research series in this journal, has a dual purpose: first, to encourage qualitative researchers to identify their own ontology and use recognised strategies for ensuring high quality work which are consistent with their own world-view of research and, secondly, to consider how best to represent those strategies within their written accounts of their research.

Three researcher positions ranged along a continuum are proposed – realist, subtle realist and relativist – and alternative criteria for each of these positions are suggested. Occupational therapy and health examples are used to illuminate each of these traditions.

It is hoped that the paper will assist qualitative researchers both to clarify their own position along the research continuum and remain coherent within it and to identify the key features relating to quality and rigour that they should consider including in papers submitted for publication.
Is Questionnaire-Based Screening Part of the Solution to Waiting Lists for Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder?
Authors: Green Dido , Bishop Tracie , Wilson Brenda N , Crawford Susan , Hooper Richard , Kaplan Bonnie , Baird Gillian
Published: April 2015

This study was undertaken to determine whether questionnaire-based screening could be part of the solution to a long waiting list of referrals for occupational therapy assessment by identifying the requirement for clinical assessments. The performance of two questionnaires – the Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (DCDQ) completed by parents and the Checklist of the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (C-ABC) completed by teachers – was compared with a more traditional clinical assessment for the identification of DCD in children already referred to occupational therapy. It was found that the parent report was quite reliable in the identification of DCD if no other developmental problem was present. However, there was little benefit to using the teacher report to screen children.

Several confounding variables, including an unequal proportion of children with DCD in the sample and the inclusion of children who were younger than the age range of the DCDQ, may have influenced how well the questionnaires performed. Although questionnaires cannot replace a full clinical assessment, the results showed that there may be some value in including the parent report in the identification of DCD.
Witnessing Spirituality in Practice
Authors: Beagan Brenda , Kumas-Tan Zofia
Published: April 2015

In the midst of continuing debates about the role of spirituality in occupational therapy, this research asked how descriptions of the daily work of occupational therapists and pastoral care professionals indicate attention to spiritual concerns in similar and distinctive ways.

Qualitative interview data revealed therapist commitment to holistic practice, accompanied by a deep respect for client values, desires and dreams, the individual meanings of occupations and the importance of relationships to effective therapy. All of these aspects of practice have been identified in the literature as relating to spirituality.

The pastoral care professionals indicated similar understandings of the importance of holism, the centrality of meaning and the significance of relationships, but also suggested noteworthy differences. While the therapists appeared to focus on identifying meaning, the pastoral care professionals concentrated on the search for or creation of meaning; and while the therapists drew on relationship as a tool for effective therapy, the pastoral care professionals viewed relationship as a site for healing work. Pastoral care also extended the understanding of interrelatedness to include a community dimension.

The findings suggest important distinctions between two professions that both situate spirituality at the centre of their practice. These distinctions may prove useful for clarifying the scope of occupational therapy practice in this domain.
Supporting Success in Diverse Student Populations
Authors: Watson Jo
Published: April 2015

Government agendas seek to widen participation in university education. Reforms of the National Health Service incorporate a commitment to increase the number of occupational therapists being educated. As a result, the nature of recruitment is changing, with an increasing number of students commencing occupational therapy pre-registration programmes with non-traditional entry qualifications.

In response to the apparent difficulty with meeting academic requirements experienced by some of these students, the School of Health Professions and Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Southampton developed an innovative short course known as ‘Summer School’, aimed at easing the transition into higher education. The evaluation of participant feedback gathered through questionnaires at two points during their first year indicates the potential of the course for preparing students with non-traditional entry qualifications for study at undergraduate level.
Publication Practices of English Language Occupational Therapy Journals
Authors: Brown G Ted , Rodger Sylvia , Brown Anita
Published: April 2015

The aim of this study was to determine the characteristics and publication practices of English language occupational therapy journals. An adapted version of the Survey of Editors Regarding Publishing Practices was posted to the editors of English language occupational therapy journals (n = 14) in September 2001. The response rate was 92.9% (n = 13).

Journals were published on average 4.77 times per year and comprised 89% text and 10% advertising. The preferred average length of manuscripts was 20 pages using American Psychological Association format. The average acceptance rate of unsolicited manuscripts was 46.6%. All the journals were peer-reviewed publications and 80% were research oriented. The most frequently cited reasons for rejection of manuscripts were methodology problems, poorly developed idea, poorly written and data interpretation problems. The professional focus of published manuscripts was on research and the clinical foci were on paediatrics, gerontology and physical medicine.

The study concludes that there are a variety of publishing opportunities available to occupational therapists. It is essential that prospective authors consult the journal guidelines for authors, including the types of manuscript accepted.
Uptake of Standardised Hand Assessments in Rheumatology: Why is It so Low?
Authors: Blenkiron E Lucy
Published: April 2015

Occupational therapists are under increasing pressure to incorporate standardised assessments into clinical practice, but little evidence of the actual uptake has been published to date. This paper begins to address this knowledge gap by reporting the results of a United Kingdom survey of the uptake of standardised hand assessments by occupational therapists in hospital-based rheumatology services.

A purpose-designed postal questionnaire was mailed to ‘The Senior Occupational Therapist in Rheumatology’ at every hospital in the United Kingdom where a consultant rheumatologist was known to practise, seeking information on participants' knowledge about, use of and attitudes towards standardised hand assessments.

The overall response rate was 80% (160/200). The 118 respondents who returned completed questionnaires reported a very low uptake of standardised hand assessments, with fewer than 10% using measures of observed task performance. The reasons for preferring non-standardised instruments clustered under six themes: advantages of non-standardised measures, access, delivery of care, training, barriers and exceptions.

The barriers to increasing the uptake of standardised hand assessments by occupational therapists working in rheumatology need to be addressed. Initiatives are recommended to assist clinicians in selecting suitable standardised hand assessments, but occupational therapists must also accept their individual responsibility for implementing standardised assessments.
Do Placement Visits Offer Value for Money?
Authors: Martin Helen
Published: April 2015

Educational institutions, in line with other government-funded bodies, are required to justify how they spend their money. Visiting students on placement on a routine basis is costly in terms of staff time, travelling and subsistence expenses. Therefore, this opinion piece considers whether this practice offers value for money. It examines this question from the perspectives of the student, the placement staff and the university, and suggests that the gains outweigh the costs.
The Casson Memorial Lecture 2005: Challenge – to Confront, Defy, Face up to; a Difficulty that Stimulates Interest or Effort
Authors: Mountain Gail
Published: April 2015

The Casson Memorial Lecture 2005, given on 23 June at the 29th Annual Conference of the College of Occupational Therapists, held at the Devonshire Park Centre, Eastbourne. The conference theme was ‘Activity, Participation, Occupation’.
Measuring Outcomes using the Australian Therapy Outcome Measures for Occupational Therapy (AusTOMs-OT): Data Description and Tool Sensitivity
Authors: Unsworth Carolyn A
Published: April 2015

Although there is increasing demand for greater accountability from occupational therapists for the outcomes of their practice, there are few quick, simple and psychometrically sound tools available to measure these outcomes. This paper reports on the first data collection exercise using a new outcome measure, the Australian Therapy Outcome Measures for Occupational Therapy (AusTOMs-OT). The aims of this paper are to present the scales, describe the data set and examine whether the scales are sufficiently sensitive to detect change over time in client status.

Data were collected with 466 clients at 12 metropolitan and rural health care facilities using the 12 AusTOM-OT scales, which rate the client in relation to the four domains of Impairment, Activity limitation, Participation restriction and Distress/wellbeing. The findings indicated that the most frequently used scales were Self-care, Upper limb use, Transfers and Functional walking and mobility, and that all scales were successful in demonstrating statistically significant client change over time.

The AusTOMs-OT can be used to document client outcomes in relation to four important practice domains and thus be of value in research and quality assurance activities seeking to provide evidence that occupational therapy does make a difference to the lives of clients.
Variability in Response of Older People with Dementia to Both Snoezelen and Reminiscence
Authors: Baillon Sarah , van Diepen Erik , Prettyman Richard , Rooke Nan , Redman Julie , Campbell Rowena
Published: April 2015

Snoezelen and reminiscence are interventions commonly used by occupational therapists in dementia care. Snoezelen is reported to have a positive effect on patients' mood and their behaviour, in particular on agitated behaviour. A study was designed to assess the effects of Snoezelen on agitated behaviour in dementia. Reminiscence therapy was selected as a suitable comparison intervention, which would enable the benefits of Snoezelen other than those attributable to receiving one-to-one attention from staff to be evaluated.

There was found to be considerable variation in the direction and magnitude of change in individual participants' agitated behaviour and heart rate during and after the sessions. This article considers the possible explanations for these individual differences and the practical implications of this research.
‘Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway’: Meeting the Occupational Needs of Refugees and People Seeking Asylum
Authors: Smith Helen Claire
Published: April 2015

Refugees and people seeking asylum face a life in the United Kingdom that fosters occupational deprivation. Their needs may be significant, but occupational therapists often believe themselves unable to help refugees because they feel unready and ill prepared. A more positive approach can assist occupational therapists to acknowledge their anxieties in this regard and, by taking a proactive and informed stance, use their existing transferable skills to meet the needs of refugees in much the same way that they meet the needs of other clients.
Effective Reporting of Quantitative Data
Authors: Campbell Jackie A , Corr Susan , Jones Richard
Published: April 2015

Communicating the results of research is a key process in conducting studies. This article focuses on reporting quantitative data within published articles, setting this in the context of the structure of the whole article. In addition to the reporting of new empirical data, the article also considers the reviewing of other quantitative studies when writing a literature review. Clarity of presentation and accurate reporting of results are the key issues addressed in this paper.
The Most Important Activity and the Reasons for That Experience Reported by a Danish Population at Age 75 Years
Authors: Legarth Karen Hedvig , Ryan Susan , Avlund Kirsten
Published: April 2015

The aim of the study was to describe the activities that 75-year-old men and women indicate as most important and to reveal why they find them important.

The data were derived from a cross-sectional study of 748 Danish 75-year-old men and women, born in 1914. The people were interviewed at home by means of a questionnaire. The most important activity was revealed by an open-ended question: what is your most important activity? The answers were classified into three qualities: type, site and social relations. The participants were asked if the activity was important because it gave enjoyment, self-confidence, challenges, company, cooperation, usefulness, new skills and/or new experiences.

A majority of the participants reported physical and individual activities as the most important and the reasons given by most participants for stating their activity as most important were work enjoyment and usefulness. It was concluded that attention should be paid to older people's possibilities for having important activities.
Women's Perceptions on Managing Chronic Arthritis
Authors: Goodacre Lynne
Published: April 2015

The development of self-management strategies is an important aspect of living with chronic arthritis and an intervention to which occupational therapists devote a significant amount of time. Within this context, the evidence base is informed predominantly by research undertaken from a psychological perspective. Sociological approaches to living with chronic illness provide valuable insights into the personal perspectives of living with and managing chronic illness. Located within a sociological perspective and focusing on women with chronic arthritis, this study aimed to gain a greater understanding of the strategies that the women used to maintain activity and the integration of such strategies into their lifestyles.

A longitudinal qualitative study using interviews, diaries and focus groups was conducted over a period of 2 years. The interviews and focus groups were recorded, transcribed and analysed to identify key themes and concepts. The diaries were analysed to provide insights into the daily activities of the women. Three interrelated themes were identified: the embodied experience of living with chronic arthritis, the development and use of strategies and the integration of the strategies into the women's evolving personal context. This paper explores these themes and discusses their implications for the development of self-management programmes informed by the experiences of people living with these impairments.
From Sample to Population: Using and Reporting Inferential Statistics
Authors: Parker Chris , Drummond Avril E R
Published: April 2015

This paper is a guide to authors on using and reporting inferential statistics in scientific papers. In particular, it deals with errors often found in manuscripts submitted for publication, some of which may be corrected and some of which are impossible to change because of design problems in the research. Examples are provided to illustrate the points made and to guide the potential researcher through the presentation of statistical information.
Practice Placement Education in Mental Health: The Educator's Experience
Authors: Mason Linda R , Bull Belinda J
Published: April 2015

Practice placements have been identified as a primary factor influencing new graduates' selection of specialty preference. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to gain an understanding of the experiences and issues for occupational therapists when providing practice placements for students in mental health. This research was prompted by continuing difficulties in the recruitment and retention of occupational therapists within mental health services in Queensland, Australia, along with a declining number of offers for student practice placements.

In-depth interviews with eight participants extrapolated four key elements in the experiences of educating students, which were time, energy, skills and mental health provider issues. The participants also identified determinants that influenced the decision to educate students, including professional responsibility, personal rewards and demands, and support needs. The inherent complexities of contemporary mental health practice, such as emotional and role demands, added pressure when educating students. The need for appropriate support and practice placement educator training programmes that deal effectively with mental health issues was highlighted.
Sexuality and Disability: A Case of Occupational Injustice
Authors: Sakellariou Dikaios , Algado Salvador Simó
Published: April 2015

Sexuality is an integral part of human life; however, people with disabilities often report an unsatisfying sexual life. The aim of this study was both to explore the reasons for the reported unsatisfying life and to reframe it in terms of occupational injustice and denial of participation in meaningful occupation.

In-depth interviews were carried out with six men with a spinal cord injury. Thematic analysis was applied to the data and formed the basis for the textural description of the participants' experiences.

The study participants generally found that certain societal beliefs and attitudes had an impact on their participation in sexuality-related occupations. They were experiencing occupational injustice as a result of the restriction of engagement in meaningful occupation. Impairment per se was usually not perceived as a barrier to a fulfilling sexual life.

The study concluded that occupational therapists should embrace occupational justice as the main purpose of the profession and include issues of sexuality in their agenda.
A Practice Placement Education Model Based upon a Primary Health Care Perspective Used in South Australia
Authors: Hunt Susan Gilbert
Published: April 2015

Undergraduate education programmes play a major role in the development of the profession; providing practice placement education opportunities across a range of settings prepares graduates for the diversity of practice. This paper describes a practice placement education model, developed in South Australia, which enables graduates to work effectively from a primary health care or social health perspective to engage actively with the paradigm shift occurring in health.

The model consists of three phases. Phase one comprises academic input relating to social health philosophy and the link with occupational therapy, as well as knowledge and skills in project management. Phase two allows students to explore a range of community-based agencies and potential project opportunities. Phase three involves the implementation and evaluation of a project aimed at addressing a specified need in the community in a sustainable manner. A synopsis of several projects is provided to demonstrate the variety of agencies and issues that can be addressed using such a model.
Summary Report on the College of Occupational Therapists' Research Governance Arrangements
Authors: Reel Kevin
Published: April 2015

The publication of the research governance frameworks for health and community/social care since 2001 has provided a guideline of standards and accountability for the conduct of research and research-related activity that applies to both health and community/social care contexts. The frameworks are also offered as models of governance to be used by non-governmental organisations involved in research activity in health and social care. This paper outlines the College of Occupational Therapists' arrangements for ethical review of its own research and related activity.
Factors Influencing Occupational Therapists' Clinical Decision Making for Clients with Upper Limb Performance Dysfunction following Brain Injury
Authors: Kuipers Kathy , McKenna Kryss , Carlson Glenys
Published: April 2015

Occupational therapists make clinical decisions to help clients with upper limb performance dysfunction following brain injury to achieve their goals. Although occupational therapy services have traditionally been separated for paediatric and adult populations, it has been proposed that a common process can be used to make clinical decisions for children and adults with upper limb performance dysfunction following brain injury.

This study compared the factors that influenced the clinical decisions of experienced occupational therapists who worked with either children or adults with upper limb performance dysfunction after brain injury to determine if the clinical decision-making process was common for all clients with brain injury. Eleven occupational therapists with experience in working with clients with brain injury participated in two focus groups. Six had experience in working with children and five in working with adults. The discussions were audiotaped, transcribed and analysed using NUD*IST Version 4 data management software.

The intrinsic or client-related factors identified as influencing clinical decision making were the client's condition, personal attributes and occupational performance needs. The extrinsic factors were related both to the therapist (knowledge of ‘feel’, experience, treatment preferences, confidence and personal convictions and beliefs) and to the environment (context of service provision and organisational culture and constraints). The consistency in the factors identified across different caseloads appeared to indicate that a common protocol would be suitable for guiding clinical decision making for both children and adults with varying patterns and intensity of upper limb performance dysfunction. Further research is needed to determine the clinical usefulness of such a protocol and the consistency of client outcomes following its use.
Usefulness of a Keyworker System in a Hospital-Based Brain Injury Rehabilitation Setting
Authors: Gurr Birgit
Published: April 2015

This article aims firstly to describe the contribution of a keyworker in improving the patient-centred partnership between brain-injured patients, their carers and rehabilitation staff in a hospital-based neurorehabilitation setting. Secondly, the outcome of a survey exploring the usefulness of the applied keyworker model in a multidisciplinary brain injury rehabilitation service is presented. The outcome suggests that the majority of the 14 patients and relatives were satisfied with the set-up of the keyworker sessions and found both the support received and the information sharing helpful. All the seven rehabilitation staff found the keyworker system useful for involving patients and their relatives in the rehabilitation programme.
A Systematic Review of the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure: A Clinical Practice Perspective
Authors: Parker Davina M , Sykes Catherine H
Published: April 2015

Occupational therapists working to a philosophy of client-centred practice will benefit from a reliable and well reviewed outcome measure to provide an evidence base. A systematic review of the literature was undertaken to evaluate worldwide publications on the use of the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) to determine its impact on clinical practice in occupational therapy.

A literature search strategy was deployed which resulted in a review of 64 articles. A themed analysis approach was used to integrate the results into linked and recurring themes. The focus of the systematic review was to concentrate on issues affecting clinical practice and the following were selected as key factors for consideration: negative and positive issues arising from the use of the COPM; impact on practice for the therapist, client, process and clinical work; and change initiatives for the therapist, client, process and clinical practice. A profile of all articles, which identifies where these factors are indicated, is presented as a summary guide to assist the clinician.

The findings of the review indicated that the greatest impact of using the COPM was within clinical practice. Change initiatives indicated the need for further research in different clinical areas, as well as the continual development and need for more training of occupational therapists in the use of COPM as an outcome measure.
Evaluation of the Daisy Chain Service: The Role of the Specialist General Practitioner of Occupational Therapy — Executive Summary
Authors: Radford K A , Walker L , Gladman J , Rothera I , Hewitt D
Published: April 2015

The Research and Development Board was authorised by Council to commission research linked to the College of Occupational Therapists' 2002 strategy, From Interface to Integration. Proposals were invited for research projects to evaluate an integrated approach to occupational therapy in different sectors. This report is an executive summary of the project commissioned after an open bidding process. A copy of the full report is available in the College's library.
Randomised Controlled Trials: Part 2, Reporting
Authors: Deane Katherine H O
Published: April 2015

Occupational therapists reading reports of randomised controlled trials and trying to interpret the reliability and size of effects stated are frequently frustrated by poor standards of reporting. They need to be able to evaluate the profession's interventions critically: to stop the ineffective, to reduce the hazardous and to promote the effective.

Without good quality trials and trial reports, the profession will continue to be dogged by systematic reviews that conclude that there is insufficient evidence to support or refute the use of occupational therapy. These, in turn, will mean that the use of occupational therapy cannot be promoted strongly in national guidelines and, therefore, services may become restricted.

This review covers some of the issues to be considered when writing or reading a report of a randomised controlled trial of a complex intervention, such as occupational therapy.
Creative Adventures and Flow in Art-Making: A Qualitative Study of Women Living with Cancer
Authors: Reynolds Frances , Prior Sarah
Published: April 2015

This qualitative study invited women living with cancer who engaged in visual art-making to reflect on their experiences of the creative process. The study sought to explore whether the participants described experiences of flow during art-making and, if so, how such experiences helped them to cope with cancer. Ten women took part in semi-structured interviews. They described a range of difficulties associated with their illness. The interview data were analysed using a template approach, based on the theory of Csikszentmihalyi.

The participants described a number of experiences that have been associated with flow in previous work. However, one aspect of flow, namely having clear goals, was not present clearly in the participants' accounts. The participants also described other facets of art-making that seemed part of the flow experience, including sensuous vitality, responsiveness to art materials and evolving imagery, and creative adventures. The flow experiences during art-making helped to banish intrusive thoughts about cancer, provided valued experiences of mastery and control and encouraged the participants to engage in positive journeys into the unknown, thereby alleviating some of the stress of cancer.

The study offers a detailed analysis of the experience of creative occupation and has relevance to occupational therapists working with clients who have life-threatening illnesses.
Evaluation of the Implementation of the Single Assessment Process and its Impact on Occupational Therapy Practice
Authors: Ridout Alicia , Mayers Christine
Published: April 2015

Ballinger (2002) stated that the single assessment process for older people presented occupational therapists with the opportunity to examine professional practice. This study, carried out during the early stages of the implementation, surveyed 54 senior I occupational therapists across health and social care within one city with the aim of grasping this opportunity. A 58% return of the total surveyed was achieved. Questionnaires were analysed using basic descriptive data analysis, concept mapping, thematic analysis and organisational model analysis. Themes upon which future improvements and research could be based were then generated.

A picture of inconsistency between occupational therapy services emerged. Primary care therapists demonstrated the most client-centred practices, adhering more closely to the process principles and professional standards of practice. Social services therapists provided the lowest response rate and highlighted a number of key practice issues. Time issues, a lack of information technology, and frustration with and resistance to the changes inherent in the implementation indicated some therapists' disengagement with the process. Multidisciplinary team issues were highlighted by therapists working in integrated services.

The therapists generated a wide range of strategies with which to improve the implementation of the single assessment process, including a more corporate approach to occupational therapy implementation.
Professionalism, Prejudice and Personal Taste: Does it Matter What We Wear?
Authors: Davys Deborah , Pope Kirsty , Taylor Jackie
Published: April 2015

Personal presentation is a way of expressing one's identity. The appearance of the student or the occupational therapist in the workplace is part of his or her professional persona. Discomfort and debate can occur when an individual's appearance conflicts with role expectations. It is part of the occupational therapy educator's task to teach students the principles of professional behaviour and presentation.

Based on a lunchtime discussion between three occupational therapy lecturers and underpinned by theory, this opinion piece presents some of the arguments surrounding the presentation of the self and what is required in order to work most effectively alongside the service user.
Sexuality and Occupational Therapy: Exploring the Link
Authors: Sakellariou Dikaios , Algado Salvador Simó
Published: April 2015

Holism is perceived to be one of the major tenets of occupational therapy. This article discusses the relevance of sexuality to holistic health care and contributes to the continuing discussion regarding the legitimacy of sexuality as an area of concern for occupational therapists. Sexuality is an important part of the human experience and is linked closely with spirituality. However, it is often neglected by occupational therapists.

The article explores the occupational nature of sexuality and demonstrates its connection with the core concept of occupation. Moreover, considering the importance of spirituality in holistic care, the article also presents an overview of the relationship between sexuality and spirituality and illustrates sexuality as a dynamic identity component. It is proposed that occupational therapists should recognise sexuality and its importance in the individual's life and incorporate it into therapy.
Upper Body Musculoskeletal Disorders among Australian Occupational Therapy Students
Authors: Smith Derek R , Leggat Peter A , Clark Michele
Published: April 2015

Although upper body musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) represent an increasingly important issue for university students, few if any studies have targeted the occupational therapy faculty. Given this dearth of information, it was considered necessary to investigate a cross-section of Australian occupational therapy students by means of an established questionnaire survey. Completed replies were obtained from 95.7%, 100% and 97.7% (n = 44, 55 and 48) of students in the first, second and fourth years of a large occupational therapy school in northern Queensland, Australia.

The 12-month period prevalence of MSDs was as follows: neck (67.4%), shoulder (46.3%) and upper back (39.5%). Three-quarters of all students (75.5%) reported an MSD occurring in at least one of these body regions. Over half (56.5%) reported an MSD over 2 days' duration in the past year. Almost 40% (39.5%) reported an MSD that had affected their daily life, while one-quarter (25.2%) needed some type of treatment.

Logistic regression indicated that students aged over 21 years were almost four times more likely to report shoulder-related MSD (OR 3.7, 95%CI: 1.4–10.2). Year of study in the occupational therapy course was another important MSD correlate, with adjusted odds ratios ranging from 3.3 at the upper back (OR 3.3, 95%CI: 1.2–9.6) to 10.9 at the neck (OR 10.9, 95%CI: 3.2–43.8). Computer usage also incurred a certain degree of risk, with students who spent over 5 hours per week on the computer having an increased risk of MSD at the neck (OR 5.0, 95%CI: 1.3–21.5) and shoulder (OR 4.7, 95%CI: 1.4–18.3).

Overall, this study suggests that Australian occupational therapy students have a large burden from MSDs in the upper body region, even more so than other student groups and some working populations. Since the distribution of MSD risk is not uniform among them, interventions to help reduce these conditions need to be carefully targeted. Further longitudinal investigations would also be useful in determining the mechanisms and contributory factors for MSDs among this unique student population.
Sexual Orientation and Occupation: Gay Men and Women's Lived Experiences of Occupational Participation
Authors: Bergan-Gander Rebecca , von Kürthy Heidi
Published: April 2015

The researcher's personal experience, combined with the identification of the occupational therapy profession's past and present lack of attention to the issue of sexual orientation, stimulated the decision to undertake this research, which aimed to explore and understand the lived occupational experiences of gay men and women. A qualitative approach was used, working within the tradition of phenomenology. Five gay men and women participated in unstructured interviews.

This research generated five themes, which provided insight into how sexual orientation can affect the occupations and the environment that a person chooses to engage in through heterosexism and fear of discrimination, prejudice and even physical attack. In turn, this influenced where and to whom people ‘came out’ and where and with whom people socialised, and possibly prevented them from engaging in occupations that they might either wish or feel they biologically need to do. This could lead to increased stress, depression, reduced support and occupational deprivation and alienation (Wilcock 1998), which may have a further impact on occupational participation.

Research into how sexual orientation affects all client groups in differing cultures is recommended. A focus on occupational deprivation and alienation in gay people's lives, including occupations such as parenting, could also be further investigated, as could issues about socialising, discrimination, prejudice, family dynamics and support. Therapists therefore need to have the awareness, the willingness and the opportunity to consider sexual orientation within the remit of occupational therapy theory and practice.
The Use of Fair Access to Care Services' Eligibility Criteria for Equipment Provision within Local Authorities in England
Authors: Lett Karen , Sackley Cath , Littlechild Rosemary
Published: April 2015

In April 2003, the national eligibility framework for the provision of community care services, Fair Access to Care Services (FACS), was implemented. The aim of the framework was to ensure geographical equity in the provision of services, including equipment and minor works, so ending the postcode variability of care described in the Audit Commission report Fully Equipped.

This study reports a postal questionnaire survey of a representative sample of 100 local authority occupational therapy teams across England to examine the implementation and use of the criteria for equipment provision. A 60% response rate revealed that only 9 out of 60 teams (15%) used solely FACS criteria; the remainder still used local criteria. Between-colleague differences in equipment provision persisted (68%). This suggests that the implementation of the FACS eligibility criteria has not achieved its goal.
Playfulness in Children with Autistic Disorder and their Typically Developing Peers
Authors: Skaines Natasha , Rodger Sylvia , Bundy Anita
Published: April 2015

This study investigated the playfulness of 24 children with autistic disorder (AD) and 34 typically developing children aged 3–7 years, in free (unstructured) and adult-facilitated (structured) play conditions within a clinical play environment. Video recordings of play were rated using the Test of Playfulness (Bundy 2003). The data were analysed using repeated measures ANOVA and ANCOVA and qualitative observations.

The children with AD were less playful compared with the typically developing children (F = 49.64, p<0.001), even when developmental age was accounted for (F = 28.20, p<0.001). Both groups of children were slightly more playful in a structured environment with adult facilitation (F = 7.72, p = 0.007). Despite statistically significant differences in playfulness between play conditions, considerable overlap in observations for both groups suggests that this may not be as clinically meaningful. When developmental age was accounted for, the play conditions no longer had a significant effect on playfulness (F = 1.54, p = 0.220). The implications of the findings and the limitations of the study are discussed.
Shoulder Joint Range of Motion in Healthy Adults Aged 20 to 49 Years
Authors: Gill Hannah , Gustafsson Louise , Hawcroft Linda , McKenna Kryss
Published: April 2015

Studies of adults aged 50 years and older have shown that shoulder range of motion (ROM) is significantly less than the norms reported by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) and decreases with age. However, there has been little investigation of the shoulder ROM of younger adults. The aims of this study were to measure the ROM of healthy younger Australian adults aged 20 to 49 years to (1) pool with data on healthy older Australian adults aged 50 years and older from the study by McIntosh et al (2003) to provide shoulder ROM values across the adult life span; (2) compare their shoulder ROM with AAOS norms; and (3) determine the effect of background factors (age, gender, body mass index [BMI] and current activity level) on active shoulder ROM.

Goniometric measurement of bilateral passive and active shoulder flexion, abduction, internal rotation and external rotation of 72 participants was compared with the AAOS norms using one-sample t-tests. The effect of the background factors on shoulder ROM was analysed using univariate General Linear Models.

Significantly lower active and passive ROM (p≤0.001) for all movements compared with AAOS norms was found. Active shoulder flexion, abduction and internal rotation were not significantly affected by any of the background factors. Decreased active external rotation was found for males (p = 0.020) and for older (p = 0.048) and less active (p = 0.048) participants. This study highlights the inaccuracies of the AAOS norms for younger adults aged 20 to 49 years and shows that age, gender, BMI and current activity level do not consistently have an impact on active shoulder ROM in this age group. The relevance of the AAOS norms to other joints needs investigation.
An Occupational Perspective of Migrant Mental Health: Indian Women's Adjustment to Living in New Zealand
Authors: Nayar Shoba , Hocking Clare , Wilson Jan
Published: April 2015

It is widely recognised that immigration may be more distressing than anticipated, disrupting occupations and threatening health and wellbeing. In New Zealand, increasing numbers of new immigrants are reported to be accessing mental health services. This article reports the findings of a small-scale qualitative study into the things that Indian women, who have recently immigrated to New Zealand, do in their everyday lives as they endeavour to settle into New Zealand society.

The article describes a pattern of engagement in occupations that unfolds as the women learn about their new environment, the resources available to them and how things are done in New Zealand. Oh God, where did I come? describes how being in an unfamiliar environment initially compels the women to do familiar activities that boost their confidence and support wellbeing. The second pattern, Being in the change, sees the women getting to know their environment and engaging in both new and familiar activities. A New Zealander with an Indian soul finds the women doing more activities that challenge their abilities and knowledge of New Zealand culture.

It is argued that occupational therapists, with their knowledge of the person-environment-occupation interplay, are well placed to support immigrant health by facilitating occupational adjustment.
Evaluation of a Pilot Clinic-Based Social Skills Group
Authors: Lim Sok Mui , Kattapuram Anna , Lian Wee Bin
Published: April 2015

This study examined the effectiveness of a pilot clinic-based social skills group at the KK Child Development Unit, Singapore. This programme was conducted by an occupational therapist and a speech and language therapist for children with autism spectrum disorder or language delay. It incorporated a cognitive behavioural approach to teach specific social behaviours (for example, sharing) and learning-related social skills (for example, group participation). Outcome measures were used pre-group and post-group to assess the short-term impact of intervention. The results indicated the potential usefulness of the pilot programme. The findings are discussed in relation to the occupational therapist's role and perspective in social skills programming and social skills in the Singapore context.
Psychobiography: A Research Method in Search of a Home
Authors: Cara Elizabeth
Published: April 2015

This paper explains the interdisciplinary narrative research method of psychobiography, using examples from the author's psychobiographical work about Dian Fossey. Dr Fossey was the primatologist and occupational therapist famous for saving the highland mountain gorillas from extinction. She is known worldwide from her popular book, Gorillas in the Mist, and from the 1987 film of the same name. She sustained her research centre in Rwanda successfully for 18 years before her murder in 1985. Prior to her primatology career, Fossey graduated from an occupational therapy programme in the United States and worked with children for 10 years.

The paper details the steps to write a psychobiography, the strategies for analysis and the markers of a good psychobiography. It is suggested that psychobiography is a method that can find a home in occupational therapy and occupational science. The reasons that psychobiography can mesh with occupational therapy are discussed. A second paper, a psychobiographical study of Dian Fossey, is in press.
College of Occupational Therapists' Research and Development Strategic Vision and Action Plan: 5-Year Review
Authors: White Elizabeth , Creek Jennifer
Published: April 2015

The first College of Occupational Therapists' research and development strategy was published in 1997, setting out the responsibilities of occupational therapists at three levels of research: as consumers, as participants and as research leaders. This initial strategy was revised in 2000 to produce the 2001 College of Occupational Therapists' Strategic Vision and Action Plan. The current paper presents the review of the 2001 Strategic Vision and Action Plan, carried out in 2006. The review is in three parts: the background to the review, actions that have been taken since the publication of the 2001 Strategic Vision and Action Plan and actions for the future.
The Use of a Ward-Based Art Group to Assess the Occupational Participation of Adult Acute Mental Health Clients
Authors: Mitchell Rachel , Neish Joanna
Published: April 2015

This opinion piece explores the use of a ward-based art group with the Model of Human Occupation Screening Tool (MOHOST) to assess the occupational participation of adult acute mental health clients. Clients who are in an acute phase of mental illness and are unable to engage in an initial interview require alternative methods of assessment. Although groups are widely used by occupational therapists as an assessment tool, there is limited research on this topic. It is the authors' opinion that task-based groups facilitate a comprehensive assessment of clients with varying functional abilities and enable therapists to obtain detailed information on occupational participation.