bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Work of St Loye's Independent Living Centre: An Evaluation of Telephone Enquiries
Authors: McGeorge David W F , Clark Charles R , Goble Rita E A
Published: April 2015

Three hundred and eight telephone enquiries to St Loye's Independent Living Centre were monitored over a period of one month as part of an evaluation study. The method used to monitor the calls was similar to a study carried out at another Disabled Living Centre. This enabled comparisons to be made and service characteristics to be developed. One hundred and thirty-six (45%) of the calls came from health/social service workers. Occupational therapy staff made the most enquiries. Nearly half of the total number of calls were for information about equipment and, in particular, to assist with mobility. Enquiries covered 82 different items of equipment. The complexity of the enquiries and the increased demand meant that staff needed to be knowledgeable about local and national services and required up-to-date information about equipment.
The Developmental Model of Skill Acquisition in Fieldwork
Authors: Alsop Auldeen E
Published: April 2015

This article describes the process of revising the fieldwork assessment procedure for Dorset House School of Occupational Therapy to meet the educational requirements of Oxford Polytechnic * for the award of the BSc degree and honours degree in occupational therapy. The developmental model of skill acquisition in fieldwork, established for the degree course, is subsequently discussed.
The Chailey Standing Support for Children and Young Adults with Motor Impairment: A Developmental Approach
Authors: Green E M , Mulcahy C M , Pountney T E , Ablett R H
Published: April 2015

An analysis of the early standing posture and available postural support systems has led to the development of an adjustable, modular, upright standing frame. Problems with existing standing equipment are identified, developmental aspects of standing outlined and therapeutic requirements and solutions described.
Fieldwork Education: To Charge or Not to Charge?
Authors: Walker Carol H I , Cooper Filao M
Published: April 2015

This article examines the arguments for and against charging for occupational therapy fieldwork education. Managers see advantages in separating the cost of education from service costs, but evidence from a study into the costs and benefits of student placements, undertaken by the Department of Occupational Therapy at the University College of Ripon & York St John in collaboration with the Yorkshire Regional Health Authority, highlights some of the disadvantages. A major finding of this study is that students bring both direct and indirect benefits to the service unit in which they are placed.
Can Occupational Therapists Be Both Humanists and Christians? A Study of Two Conflicting Frames of Reference
Authors: Barnitt Rosemary , Mayers Christine
Published: April 2015

The word ‘humanist’ has been used in textbooks, articles and conference papers to help describe the unique philosophy of occupational therapy. This links in with increasing interest about models of practice and the underlying philosophy of the profession. Humanism is defined in two ways: as it has been used in philosophy, both past and present, and as it is used in current practice in occupational therapy. Reference is made to the conflict which can arise between the beliefs of Christianity and humanism. The authors advise caution in using the word ‘humanism’ as a blanket descriptor of occupational therapy when humanistic practice may conflict with behavioural, developmental or psychodynamic approaches. Humanism is seen as a theory talked and written about in occupational therapy but is seldom seen in practice.
A Possible Renowned Referral to Occupational Therapy
Authors: Busuttil Joseph
Published: April 2015

The name of Sigmund Freud is synonymous with psychiatry. Like many other pioneers who were deeply engrossed in their work, he suffered from the subject matter that he was dealing with. This article looks at some of the main psychological problems encountered by Freud in mid-life and how an occupational therapist could have helped him.
GPs' Assessments of People Aged 75 and Over: Identifying the Need for Occupational Therapy Services
Authors: Nocon Andrew
Published: April 2015

Since April 1990, general practitioners (GPs) have been required to offer an annual home visit and assessment to all people aged 75 and over. This article reports on a research study into the outcomes of these assessments. More referrals were made to community occupational therapy than to any other service — 5% of all people assessed were referred to community occupational therapy — although all the referrals were made following assessments by nurses rather than by GPs themselves. Interviews with a separate sample of elderly people revealed that 17% needed occupational therapy. Once people had been referred, the mean time they had to wait for a community occupational therapy visit was 14 weeks. Even after occupational therapy contact ceased, a number of people still needed further occupational therapy. The study shows that the assessments are a valuable way of identifying elderly people's needs. It also raises questions about the way the assessments are carried out and the resources required to meet identified needs.
Core Skills and Competencies: Part 3, Excellence Made Explicit
Authors: Hollis Vivien , Clark Charles R
Published: April 2015

Part 1 of this series discussed some of the reasons for, and difficulty in, occupational therapists defining clinical excellence, and part 2 gave background information on the competency approach and the critical incident technique as a means of identifying and encouraging successful performance. In part 3, this work is applied to occupational therapy research and some of the current findings, on the nature of occupational therapy experience and expertise, are presented.
A Model for Community Occupational Therapy Practice, Stage 1
Authors: Mayers Christine A
Published: April 2015

This article describes the first stage of a client-centred model, being developed by the author, for community occupational therapy practice. The key objective of this stage is to have the client identify his/her needs before the occupational therapist makes the first visit. The tools of the first stage, a contact letter and a Lifestyle Questionnaire, have been used in a pilot study by occupational therapists around the country. A summary of the results of this study is given.
Keynote Paper: Biological and Sociocultural Aspects of Occupation, Health and Health Promotion
Authors: Wilcock Ann A
Published: April 2015

This paper was presented at the interdisciplinary conference on ‘Health Promotion: An investment for the Future’, organised by the College of Occupational Therapists, London, on 12 May 1993. It draws heavily on material previously published in Work: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment, & Rehabilitation 1992; 2(3): 15–20, and in The Journal of Occupational Science: Australia 1993; 1(1): 17–24, from both of whom permission has been received to publish here.
Dementia: The Marriage Relationship and the Concept of Relief
Authors: Sainty Mandy
Published: April 2015

This article summarises a review of the literature on carers, and describes a small qualitative study of eight individuals whose spouses had dementia. The nature of the effect of dementia and caregiving on the marital relationship suggests that carers require not only traditional services and relief care but also interventions such as validation therapy and occupational therapy.
Why Do Hospital-Based Occupational Therapists Carry Out Post-Discharge Home Visits with Elderly People?
Authors: Hassall Jane
Published: April 2015

This study examined why hospital-based occupational therapists carry out post-discharge home visits with elderly people, due to the varying frequency within local practice, and used qualitative methods to answer the research question. The results showed that activities concerned with the provision of equipment were the most frequent and that little time was spent in monitoring or treating the patient after discharge. Time was mentioned as a major factor in not carrying out visits, but in fact most visits took less than half an hour. The study emphasised a significant gap in the service, covering patients' post-discharge needs and treatment sessions in the community, and showed the importance of improving communication between multidisciplinary teams and effective planning before discharge. There is a need in Salford for an occupational therapist to work with elderly people to fill this gap and liaise with the hospital multidisciplinary team about plans for discharge.
An Overview of the Management of the C6 Quadriplegic Patient's Hand: An Occupational Therapist's Perspective
Authors: Sutton Sarah
Published: April 2015

This article reviews the management of function in the C6 quadriplegic patient's hand. It suggests ways in which hand assessment could become more concise and objective and outlines methods used to develop a functional grip in a C6 lesion.
BJOT: Types of Article
Authors: Howard Rona
Published: April 2015

This article forms part of a symposium entitled ‘An introduction to Writing for Publication in Professional Journals’, prepared by the Editorial Board of BJOT. It divides published material into the broad categories of short and long articles and identifies classifications under each heading. Further papers in the symposium will discuss the structure of a Journal article, writing an editorial and writing a research article.
Race Relations at Work: A Challenge to Occupational Therapy
Authors: Matlala Mabule R
Published: April 2015

This article raises a few issues that prevail in the South African society which may interfere with therapeutic relationships in rehabilitation. Although it focuses on health matters, many of the racial issues discussed are not exclusive either to health or to South Africa. Suggestions that may facilitate communication between the various ethnic groups are proposed. Some of the interpretations and suggestions are the personal opinions of the author.
Adjustable Thoracolumbar Spinal Orthoses: Direct Moulding Using Thermoplastic Mesh Sheet
Authors: Cunliffe M W
Published: April 2015

A custom-moulded, low cost, lightweight, well ventilated, low temperature thermoplastic thoracolumbar spinal orthosis (TLSO) is described with variations and applications. The study comprised 44 patients: 50% had spinal fractures, between T10 and L2; 20% had osteoporosis of the spine; 18% had undergone corrective scoliosis following a Harrington rod procedure; 11% had spinal fusion and Hartshill rectangle fixation; and in one case the brace was used to correct a developing protruding sternum. The results indicate that the TLSO may be used to reduce pain and that it is rigid enough to maintain posture and aid internal fixation.
Sensory Integration and Down's Syndrome
Authors: Nommensen Annabelle , Maas Frikkie
Published: April 2015

An examination of the relationship between the neurophysiological and motor characteristics of children with Down's syndrome and the assumptions of sensory integrative vestibular stimulation is discussed. From this analysis, apparent inconsistencies are emphasised. If occupational therapy is to develop further as a profession, treatment practices must be well understood in terms of their theoretical base and empirical evidence of effectiveness. An understanding of theoretical differences between different models of practice (for example, sensory integration vs sensory stimulation) is of vital importance. This article hopes to contribute to the development of an understanding of treatment of children with Down's syndrome.
An Evaluation of Kettle Tippers
Authors: Pain Helen , Ballinger Claire , Gore Sally , McLellan D Lindsay
Published: April 2015

The Disability Equipment Assessment Centre, Southampton, funded by the Medical Devices Directorate, Department of Health, which undertakes a rolling programme of equipment evaluation, has recently completed an evaluation which included kettle tippers. All commercially available kettle tippers (n=6) were evaluated by subjects (n=25) with impaired grip or mild tremor, following a standardised test procedure. The mechanical functioning of the tippers was also examined. A higher proportion of subjects experienced difficulty in pouring as the force required to do so was increased. A high proportion of subjects rated all tippers as stable, with the exception of the Sunflower tipper with a kettle filled to minimum capacity. The majority of subjects (88%) found using a kettle in conjunction with the tippers easier than using a kettle on its own, but important individual differences between the tippers are described.
Problem-based Learning in the Development of an Occupational Therapy Curriculum, Part 2: The BSc at the London School of Occupational Therapy
Authors: Sadlo Gaynor
Published: April 2015

Part 1 of this article* defined the process of and rationale for problem-based learning (problem-focused education). Part 2 describes the new BSc(Hons) programme in occupational therapy at the West London Institute, which is designed around a series of true-life problems encountered by people who have been referred for occupational therapy. It was developed following experience of problem-focused education in the diploma course. Problems are presented to students in a special sequence, within units of study, graded to promote understanding and critical evaluation of the process of occupational therapy. There is an accent on fieldwork reasoning, and on the accumulation of usable knowledge required for each case. The capacity for self-direction for lifelong learning is promoted. The curriculum is intended to be motivating, exciting, relevant and challenging for students and staff. Evaluations of the diploma course have been positive, and the outcomes of this new degree are being monitored to ensure standards and to ascertain more clearly the educational value of fieldwork problems.
Occupational Therapy Home Visits: A Satisfactory Service?
Authors: Bore Janice
Published: April 2015

A questionnaire was directed towards establishing whether therapist, patients and carers had similar concerns at the point of discharge from a small community hospital, and whether or not these concerns were addressed effectively by the predischarge occupational therapy home visit. On the whole, the visits were found to be comprehensive and very helpful to all participants. There was, however, a significant difference between the three groups in how helpful they had found the discussions on social isolation. There were further differences in the way the three groups responded to advice on financial benefits and community services and in the intended reassuring nature of the visit. Results point to a need for the therapists to re-examine the way in which these particular topics are addressed and the priority they are given within the visit. There is also a need to re-examine the service offered to carers.
Occupational Therapy — The Opportunity to Develop: An Exploration of Occupational Therapy as it Emerges in the Ugandan Context
Authors: Wilson Jennifer R
Published: April 2015

This paper was given as a keynote address to the 11th International Congress of the World Federation of Occupational Therapists, 17–22 April 1994, London; it was illustrated with slides. Through discussion of personal experiences of practising occupational therapy in a variety of situations in Uganda, the author stresses the importance of allowing the profession to develop naturally from within its cultural context and concludes with some observations about the nature of occupational therapy as it emerges in Uganda.

The purposes of this paper are to outline the development of occupational therapy as a rehabilitation profession within the context of the total rehabilitation of a nation; to explore the concept of occupational therapy as it emerges in the unique culture and environment of Uganda; and to identify aspects of occupational therapy in Uganda that can enhance the understanding and practice of occupational therapy worldwide.
The Development of Mental Health Services: Occupational Therapy's Inclusion in Brazil
Authors: Hahn Michelle S
Published: April 2015

Keynote address, given to the 11th International Congress of the World Federation of Occupational Therapists, 17–22 April 1994, London.
The Effects of a Short-Term, Low-Intensity Exercise Programme on the Psychological Wellbeing of Community-Dwelling Elderly Women
Authors: Moore Chris , Bracegirdle Hazel
Published: April 2015

This study examined the effects of 6-week exercise programme, run by an occupational therapy student, on the psychological wellbeing and happiness of a group of 15 elderly community-dwelling women. The Memorial University of Newfoundland Scale of Happiness was used to measure the subjects' wellbeing both before and after the intervention and was also administered to a control group of 20 women.

The results indicated that the exercising women experienced a significant improvement in happiness and wellbeing while the controls did not. This finding appears to support the hypothesis that there is an association between physical exercise and mental health. Potential threats to the validity of the results are discussed.
Assessing Consumer Satisfaction with a Service
Authors: McGeorge David W F
Published: April 2015

There is a need to identify the client's attitudes about services provided by the occupational therapist. A number of studies are presented to provide a background, help to describe relevant factors, and indicate some data collection methods. The studies show that the concept of surveying clients' views is far from simple; in addition, older clients tend to report more favourably and survey results may not be acted upon by service managers. The production of qualitative and quantitative data is encouraged, together with publishing results both locally and nationally. This can enable clients to become more involved in setting standards, monitoring the progress of a service, and raising the professional profile.
Writing a Research Article
Authors: Drummond Avril
Published: April 2015

This article provides guidelines for those wishing to write up a piece of research for publication. By convention, the research article usually follows the IMRAD structure – Introduction, Method, Results and Discussion – and this paper presents an outline for the possible content of each of these sections.
The Use of Clinical Care Profiles to Meet the Occupational Therapy Needs of Patients
Authors: Church Patricia , Mitchell Jane , Renvoize Edward
Published: April 2015

This article reviews the current challenges facing the occupational therapy profession: meeting patients' needs, professional standard setting, measurement of health care outcomes, audit, research and development, the education of staff, organisational restructuring, reprofiling, resource management and contracting. It is argued that some of these challenges can be met through the development of multidisciplinary, collaborative clinical care profiles, the principles and advantages of which are described in relation to the practice of occupational therapy.
Multidisciplinary Quality Assessment: The Case of a Child Development Team, Part 2
Authors: Howard Lynne M
Published: April 2015

This is the second of three articles reporting research that focused on the increasing attention being paid, to measuring the quality of health service provision. They address the problem of how quality can be measured across a multidisciplinary service and use a district child development team as an example of such a service. In part 2, the methodology of the study is explained. The findings of the interviews of a range of staff within the team are explored in detail, using the structure-process-outcome model suggested by Donabedian and outlined in the first article in the series. The final article will report the findings among carers and draw conclusions.
Workload Measurement: A Tool for Accountability
Authors: Hammell Karen R Whalley , Bjore Donna
Published: April 2015

Measurement of workload practice is the cornerstone of management. Fundamental to the issue of workload measurement and any subsequent costing is the sensitivity of the tool used for data collection. It is proposed that the use of an appropriate tool for the collection of data will enable the provision of an improved service to both consumer and funding agency. This article presents one data collection tool, which has enabled a detailed analysis of present workload and has provided data for service planning and staffing projections.
Multidisciplinary Quality Assessment: The Case of a Child Development Team, Part 3
Authors: Howard Lynne M
Published: April 2015

This to the third and final part of a series of articles reporting research which focused on the increasing attention being paid to measuring the quality of health service provision. The series addresses the problem of how quality can be measured across a multidisciplinary service and uses a district child development team as an example of such a service. In part 3, the findings of the interviews with a range of carers of children with varying diagnoses attending the child development centre are explored in detail, again using the structure-process-outcome framework suggested by Donabedian and outlined in the first article of the series. Conclusions are drawn from the research and suggestions made for areas requiring further investigation.
Getting Started on the Special Care Baby Unit: Preparation and Protocol
Authors: Warren Inga
Published: April 2015

Attempts are being made to introduce occupational therapy onto Special Care Baby Units. To help those who are planning a new service, this article offers a personal account of the evolution of occupational therapy on the Winnicett Baby Unit at St Mary's Hospital, London, and describes the protocol on which the service there is based.
Defining and Assessing Quality of Life
Authors: Mayers Christine A
Published: April 2015

This article is a literature review, undertaken to have a fuller understanding of what is meant by the term ‘quality of life’ and how it is measured or assessed. The literature review shows that the term Is not clearly defined. It is suggested that occupational therapists each have their own definition and may use the term too narrowly: a satisfactory quality of life means something different to all of us, whether we be occupational therapist or client. This suggests that discussion with a client about his/her Individual quality of life and what this means to him/her is probably more realistic than trying to measure aspects of it.
Spinal Cord Injury; Quality of Life; Occupational Therapy: Is There a Connection?
Authors: Hammell Karen Whalley
Published: April 2015

Although occupational therapists frequently state that one of their primary goals is that of enhancing quality of life, this does not appear to be supported by either their outcome measures or their literature. Studies have shown that satisfaction with quality of life following a spinal cord injury is not predicted by either degree of impairment or disability. Handicap is negatively correlated with quality of life and this may require interventions that are focused towards the environment rather than the individual. Occupational therapists may need to adopt a more client-centred approach to practice, in which assessment, Intervention and outcome measures are sensitive to the subjective views of the individual, thus enabling therapists to understand more of what quality of life means to each client.
Coordinating and Planning Services for Stroke Patients in Hospital and the Community
Authors: Barnes Geoffrey , Lee Fiona
Published: April 2015

Much published research into the rehabilitation of patients following stroke has documented the lack of coordination between the various services for stroke patients and the Ineffectiveness of the targeting of services for patients. In an attempt to improve this situation, a stroke liaison officer has been recruited from the occupational therapy profession in South Staffordshire. Her role is to coordinate and plan services for stroke patients in hospital and the community and to act as a focal point for communication for patients, relatives and carers. The article explains the background to the project and identifies those areas where the stroke liaison officer may have an impact.
Non-Directive Play Therapy and Psychodynamic Theory: Never the Twain Shall Meet?
Authors: Telford Rick , Ainscough Kerry
Published: April 2015

This article offers the opinion that the use of non-directive play therapy is not in itself a sufficient theory for working within child psychiatry. The authors suggest that the added understanding of analytical theory be applied to non-directive play therapy and, combined with the skills of an occupational therapist, will provide a unique style of working. The article does not set out to describe the work of occupational therapists within child, adolescent and family psychiatry, which will be the subject of another paper.
Trauma following Major Disasters: The Role of the Occupational Therapist
Authors: Roberts Gwilym Wyn
Published: April 2015

The tragic loss of over 900 lives on the ferry Estonia in the Baltic Sea brought back many painful and bitter memories of similar disasters, such as Zeebrugger, the Marchioness and Piper Alpha, together with other disasters of a similar magnitude, such as Lockerble, the Bradford fire, Hillsborough, Clapham Common, Hungerford and the King's Cross fire, which are still in the minds of the public. Such well publicised disasters refocused attention on how society is ill-prepared and uncoordinated in the provision of sufficient and effective coping strategies. They raised awareness, and assisted both statutory and non-statutory bodies in focusing on the need to establish a collaborative and coordinated approach to deal with major disasters.
Predicting Post-Discharge Outcome
Authors: Frankum J L , Bray J , Ell M S , Philp I
Published: April 2015

The ability of members of the multidisciplinary team and of elderly patients themselves to predict how patients will cope at home influences the successful outcome of discharge from hospital. Following the introduction of structured assessment of the physical, psychological and social function of patients on an acute elderly care unit, a study was undertaken to compare the predictive ability of the primary nurse, the patient and the occupational therapist.

Overall, results suggested a high level of accuracy of predictions. There was a trend for the occupational therapist to predict more accurately (83.6%) than the patient (80.7%) or the primary nurse (72.5%). Where the predictions were incorrect, the patients erred on the side of optimism (78% optimistic) whereas the nurses were more pessimistic (69% pessimistic). Further studies to look at the reliability of outcome predictions by health professionals and the patients themselves would be useful in the overall management of the discharge of elderly people from hospital.
Using the Model of Human Occupation with Homeless Mentally Ill Clients
Authors: Kavanagh Jacqueline , Fares Jill
Published: April 2015

Since the introduction of community care, the care of mentally Ill people has transferred from hospitals to community settings and has thus resulted in an Increase in the number of people with special housing needs. This development, coupled with the high incidence of mental health problems in the homeless population generally, is problematic for community-based mental health workers because the needs of these people are complex and the demand on services becomes greater. The emerging role of the occupational therapist in this field of care is considered and the model of human occupation Is proposed as a useful theoretical framework to conceptualise the complex needs of this client group.
Promoting Occupational Therapy among Primary School Children
Authors: Kelly Greg , McCormick Mary , McKenna Claire
Published: April 2015

This article suggests that the promotion of awareness and understanding of occupational therapy could feasibly be extended to Include primary school children. Evidence from two studies carried out by final year occupational therapy students at the University of Ulster shows that children as young as 8 years old are able to understand some of the basic concepts of occupational therapy and to retain this information. One study used a storybook to explain the concept of occupational therapy while the other incorporated the concept of occupational therapy into the more general area of health education.
Anger: The Assessment and Treatment of Problematic Anger, Part 2
Authors: O'Neill Helen
Published: April 2015

Anger management is a treatment that is of topical interest, particularly to those occupational therapists working with individuals who display problematic anger and aggression. A reliable measure on which to base treatment is essential. This article advocates the use of the Novaco Anger Scale as such a measure, and demonstrates how it can contribute to the planning and provision of a custom-built treatment intervention based on the Novaco anger control procedure.
The Development of a Standardised Assessment of Hand Function
Authors: O'Neill Geraldine
Published: April 2015

A new assessment of hand function, the O'Neill Hand Function Assessment, has recently been developed on an Irish adult population. The assessment is based on a commonly used grip classification of the hand and it also contains a non-prehensive section. There are eight tasks In the final version of the assessment. The instructions allow for a description of both the manner of performance (criterion-referenced section) and the speed of performance (norm-referenced section) of the tasks in the assessment.

Reliability studies have been performed on the tasks in the assessment, with high inter-rater reliability (0.96–0.99) and moderate test re-test reliability (0.54–0.79). There is also a description of the validity of the assessment and the total score in the assessment appears to correlate highly with the Nine Hole Peg Test (0.98). The normative data for the speed section are based on 140 non-disabled adults. The assessment has also been applied to 38 orthopaedic and rheumatology patients. The O'Neill Hand Function Assessment appears to fulfil the basic criteria for a standardised assessment.
An Overview of the Research Methodologies Available to the Occupational Therapist and an Outline of the Research Process
Authors: Bird Stephen , Nicholls Gillian , White Elizabeth
Published: April 2015

This article provides guidelines for occupational therapists who are embarking on a research project. It describes the theoretical approaches that underlie much research, and the methodologies available to the therapist. Key stages in the research process are outlined as a practical guide for the prospective researcher.
Memory Maintenance Groups in the Community
Authors: Gregory Susan
Published: April 2015

This article describes the use of memory maintenance groups for people in the early stages of dementia who are living at home. The aims of the groups changed to meet client need.
Responses of the Occupational Therapy Profession to the Perspective of the Disability Movement, Part 2
Authors: Craddock Judith
Published: April 2015

In part 1 of this article, the origins and development of the disability movement were described. The movement's perspective of a social model of disability and its critique of the adoption of a medical model of practice by the rehabilitation professions were discussed. The evolving professional philosophy of the occupational therapy profession was explored.

In part 2, the explicit responses of the occupational therapy profession in the UK and in the USA to the concerns of the disability movement are described. The implications for the philosophy and practice of occupational therapy of the adoption of a social model of disability in appropriate interventions are discussed.

The conclusion is reached that the occupational therapy profession has yet to debate fully the validity of the social model of disability for appropriate areas of professional practice. The author foresees two major effects of its adoption: a clarification of the philosophical base underpinning such practice and a changed professional role.
General Practitioners' Knowledge and Use of a Disabled Living Centre
Authors: Phillips Anna V
Published: April 2015

In March 1994, 141 Aberdeen general practitioners (GPs) were surveyed to clarify why Hillylands Disabled Living Centre (DLC) appeared to receive few direct referrals from this professional group. This was carried out in two stages. The first consisted of a postal questionnaire which received a 77% response rate. This identified that 90% of the 108 respondents knew of Hillylands' existence but only 24% were fully aware of the services it offered. Forty-six per cent had advised someone to visit Hillylands DLC, although only 17% of GPs had visited the centre themselves.

The second stage, a telephone interview of 46 volunteer GPs, indicated that some GPs recognised a need to increase their awareness. Some felt that it was not appropriate that they visit Hillylands DLC, although those who had done so had found their visit useful.

Recommendations are made to extend the mailing list at Hillylands and to set up a monitoring system to ensure regular liaison and supply of publicity material. It is also suggested that the feasibility of developing a comprehensive publicity initiative be investigated.
All Change? The Role and Tasks of Community Occupational Therapists in Scotland
Authors: Stalker Kirsten , Jones Chris , Ritchie Pete
Published: April 2015

In November 1994, the Scottish Office commissioned a short study of occupational therapy in Scotland. It aimed to examine the structure, scale and outputs of the service and the role of occupational therapy in the context of community care. A variety of methods was employed.

The total number of posts for occupational therapists has increased recently but a critical shortage of support posts remains. Staff recruitment and retention are not problematic, In contrast to the situation south of the border. Occupational therapists still spend most of their time on equipment and adaptations. Authorities have been developing a range of strategies for tackling this problem, but more are needed.

The Involvement of occupational therapists in care management is at an early stage. Practitioners are working with a more diverse range of clients than before, and some have greater opportunities to utilise their wider skills. Most have compjex extended networks for collaboration, although links with home care and health colleagues are often underdeveloped. Hospital discharge is a problematic area.

The findings Indicate the need for occupational therapists to become better Integrated within community care teams, for more authorities to consider developing a unitary workforce straddling social services and health agencies, and for the deployment of occupational therapists to a wider and more Imaginative range of settings.
A Study of the Relationship between the Patterns of Planned Activity and Incidents of Deliberate Self-Harm within a Regional Secure Unit
Authors: Garner Ruth , Butler Graham , Hutchings Deborah
Published: April 2015

Within a 77-bed Regional Secure Unit, there has been an increase in the number of patients admitted who deliberately do themselves harm, although this Is generally not the primary reason for admission. During this 9-month study, 307 incidents of self-harm were recorded on the clinic's information system; a subgroup of seven patients was responsible for 77.5% of these incidents.

Whilst there is a perception among rehabilitation staff that activity has a role in reducing the incidence of deliberate self-harm, this study Identifies no correlation between the patterns of structured activity and the patterns of deliberate self-harm. This does not suggest, however, that occupational therapy is ineffective with this client group, particularly given the potentially addictive nature of deliberate self-harm behaviour even after problem resolution. The study identifies areas for further research, focusing on qualitative rather than quantitative study.
Adapting for Community Care, Part 2
Authors: Adams Jo
Published: April 2015

This article examines the provision and funding of home adaptations for people with physical disabilities. Part 1 concluded that people with disabilities receive an adaptation service that Is skewed according to housing tenure and local policy implementation.

Part 2 examines the response of one county's social services department and its senior grade occupational therapists in the assessment and allocation of a home adaptation service across housing tenure and across the county. It investigates, first, the role of community occupational therapists in assessing home adaptations across that county and, secondly, the shortcomings in the Disabled Facilities Grant system as documented by service users. Recommendations are made for Improving the adaptation service across housing tenure for people with disabilities.
The Lost-Ness of Loss: A Reappraisal of Loss
Authors: Ilott Irene
Published: April 2015

The article explores the proposition that loss is a central, but neglected and taken-for-granted, concept within occupational therapy. A reappraisal of loss was stimulated by a module entitled ‘Loss and life-threatening conditions’ in the South Trent In-Service Diploma Course In Occupational Therapy. The student-negotiated curriculum is described. The evaluations highlighted the personal value and professional relevance of the concept of loss. These were confirmed during a staff development workshop for 37 experienced and expert therapists at Nottingham City Hospital. A framework that combines toss, mastery, mystery and occupation is offered as a professional model with practical implications. Encouragement is provided to re-evaluate and perhaps rediscover the pivotal place of loss within occupational therapy.
Information Systems: Can They Determine How Occupational Therapists Spend Their Time in the Care of People with Dementia and Their Carers?
Authors: Evans Eileen
Published: April 2015

This study examined the recording of workload by community occupational therapists in the West Dorset area. Over an 11-week period, time-related data were collected in order to establish the work undertaken by three occupational therapists who offered support to people with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders, including their carers. Recordings were made of ail contacts with patients, carers and professional carers, together with the reasons that they were seen.

Evidence emerged which highlighted that the majority of contacts were with carers and professional carers, thus denuding both the Department of Health and local management of credible statistical data for community occupational therapy work. The findings support the recommendation that reliable information systems and data collection are essential. Without credible information, managers are unable to determine what services are necessary in order to help maintain patients and their carers in the community.
A Perceptuo-Motor Approach to Handwriting
Authors: Addy Lois M
Published: April 2015

The process of handwriting involves the complicated coordination of motor, perceptual and cognitive skills, which do not develop spontaneously but require considerable explanation, experimentation, demonstration and practice. This is an area in which pupil support services and occupational therapists are increasingly being asked for advice.

This article describes the evaluation of a unique programme of motor and perceptual exercises, which aims to develop the control and presentation of the written word. The ‘Teodorescu’ programme has been found to be beneficial in improving the handwriting of many children, including those with mild learning difficulties and those with perceptuo-motor weaknesses.
The Design of Disability Products: A Psychological Perspective
Authors: Barber Johan
Published: April 2015

This article argues that disability products, in particular those supplied by or through government agencies and local councils, are designed for the physical impairment but not for the person who uses them. This can lead to products that serve only to increase, at a psychological level, a person's sense of being disabled, especially in those people who develop a physical impairment as an adult. The article also discusses how the ‘gratitude’ of the user hinders any change to the present situation.
Social Support and Barriers to Post-Secondary Education: Experiences of Students with Physical Disabilities in Canada
Authors: Anderson Martin P , Madill Helen M , Warren Sharon A , Vargo James W
Published: April 2015

Individuals with disabilities are less likely to receive post-secondary education than their non-disabled peers. This may be related to the barriers faced by students with disabilities or a lack of appropriate support in addressing them. A group of post-secondary students with disabilities (n=24) and a group of non-disabled post-secondary students (n=66) completed the Perceived Support Network Inventory (PSNI) and a semi-structured interview which included social network mapping. Using a case-control, cross-sectional research design, the results showed that social network composition did differ between the groups and gender was significantly correlated with overall social support (p<0.0001). Students with disabilities included, on average, more professionals in their social network. Females with disabilities received higher PSNI scores, suggesting greater use of social support than males in this sample. A set of social support themes emerged from the content analysis performed on the interview data that were unique to the students with disabilities: overcoming barriers, emotional support and ongoing adjustment to disability. The clinical implications of these findings for occupational therapy practice are discussed along with suggestions for future research.
Cultural Diversity in Glasgow, Part 1: Are We Meeting the Challenge?
Authors: Khamisha Catriona
Published: April 2015

This article is in two parts. Part 1 presents a survey of occupational therapists working in Glasgow. Ninety-four respondents returned self-completion questionnaires. Their level of contact, language and information services, self-rated awareness, actual knowledge of cultural factors and attitudes towards the service provision to clients of Indian subcontinent origins (ISO) were investigated. The respondents tended to self-rate their awareness as quite low. Knowledge about cultural factors was influenced more by the therapist's age and source of knowledge than by whether he or she worked in an area with a large ISO community. Part 2 will present their perception of the adequacy of the service and attitudes towards multicultural awareness education.
Cultural Diversity in Glasgow, Part 2: How Do We Meet the Challenge?
Authors: Khamisha Catriona
Published: April 2015

Part 1 of this article presented a survey of occupational therapists working in Glasgow. It investigated their level of contact, language and information services, self-rated awareness, actual knowledge of cultural factors and attitudes towards the provision of occupational therapy to clients of Indian subcontinent origins (ISO). Part 2 investigates the therapists' perceptions of the service and their attitudes towards multicultural awareness education. Seventy-six per cent of the respondents felt that there were gaps in the service to the ISO community and there was unanimous agreement that some form of multicultural awareness education was necessary. Strategies are suggested for an improved service.
Cross-Cultural Validation of the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS)
Authors: Goldman Susan L , Fisher Anne G
Published: April 2015

The purpose of this study was to verify the assertion that underlying motor and process skill items and tasks defined in the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS) are cross-culturally free from bias between North America, Scandinavia and the United Kingdom. Using many-faceted Rasch analysis, the hierarchical order of AMPS motor and process skill items and culture-general tasks were compared in order to test the assertion of bias-free assessment across regions. The unidimensionality of the AMPS motor and process skills and tasks through evaluation of their goodness-of-fit to the Rasch model was also investigated.

The results revealed that the hierarchical order of all the AMPS motor and process skill items and culture-general tasks remained stable among the three regions examined, verifying cross-cultural freedom from bias of the skill items and tasks between these regions. All items in North America met the criteria for goodness-of-fit on both the motor and the process scales of the AMPS, while only 4% of the items failed to meet these expectations in Scandinavia and the United Kingdom. It was concluded that the AMPS motor and process scales and tasks are unidimensional, demonstrating internal scale validity.
Targeting the Resources of Housing Adaptations for People with Disabilities
Authors: Brewis Claire
Published: April 2015

Community care legislation states that resources are to be targeted to those in greatest need. In line with this, the housing adaptations budget for one local authority in the north-east of England was divided up and allocated according to need instead of, as previously, on a first come, first served basis. This study looked at the timescales involved in receiving housing adaptations and the adaptations that were being carried out under one system and compared it with the more recent system, in order to determine if people in greatest need were being targeted more effectively under the new system and how quickly this was being done. The results showed an improvement in the targeting of the adaptations but an overall increase in the time taken to deliver them.
Choosing a Powered Wheelchair: The Choice of a Client dependent on a Ventilator
Authors: Curtin Michael , Clarke Helen
Published: April 2015

It is only in the last 4 years that clients resident in the United Kingdom who had had a spinal cord injury and were dependent on a ventilator have had a choice of powered wheelchairs that would suit their needs. By using the experiences of one client and the philosophy of client choice, this article describes the features, advantages and limitations of four such powered wheelchairs. Through the process of facilitating client choice, the client was able to select the wheelchair that best suited his needs. Furthermore, despite several problems with the wheelchair after purchase, the client remained satisfied with his selection.
Occupational Therapy Group Work in Psychiatric Settings
Authors: Lloyd Chris , Maas Frikkie
Published: April 2015

Traditionally, occupational therapists have used group therapy as part of their overall treatment regimens in psychiatric settings. The therapeutic factors evident in group therapy play an important part in the process of change. The traditional group therapy approach needs to accommodate modern trends, such as the shorter length of client stay, the rapid client turnover and the validity of client feedback. The purpose of the present article is to summarise recent research findings in order to provide information about the state of current research and to consider implications for occupational therapy practice.