bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Impact of an Allotment Group on Mental Health Clients' Health, Wellbeing and Social Networking
Authors: Fieldhouse Jon 
Published: April 2015

The needs of people with serious mental health problems are frequently not met by services and service users' difficulties are further compounded by social isolation and exclusion. Clients attending a community mental health team horticultural allotment group described the importance that they attached to social contact in the group. This study aimed to develop an understanding of how this experience came about so that it could be harnessed more effectively. A qualitative approach was used to explore the subjective experience of meaning that had underpinned regular attendance by nine group members. Qualitative interviews and a focus group generated data, which were examined in the light of concepts drawn from the literature on therapeutic horticulture, social networking and meaning in occupation. The participants described the restorativeness of the allotment setting, a resurgent destigmatised identity and attachment to a highly valued social network. The study concludes that there are particular qualities of the plant-person relationship that promote people's interaction with their environment and hence their health, functional level and subjective wellbeing. The embeddedness of allotments within communities means that they have great potential as media for occupational therapy and as mechanisms for social inclusion.
Perceptions of Play and Leisure in Junior School Aged Children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: What are the Implications for Occupational Therapy?
Authors: Hackett Janine 
Published: April 2015

Play is the dominant occupation in childhood and is recognised as having an important role in wellbeing. Past research suggests that children with a disability experience a variety of barriers to engagement in play. Despite this, play is often not assessed as a specific area of occupational performance. This qualitative study aimed to explore the perceptions of play and leisure in junior school aged children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Twelve children between the ages of 7 years and 11 years were interviewed in order to uncover the barriers to engagement in play and leisure and to consider the implications, if any, for occupational therapy. The results showed that all children, regardless of disease activity, reported difficulty in engaging in play and leisure activities. The symptoms of the disease, the treatment regimes and their side-effects, and psychosocial factors were all reported to affect play and leisure experiences. The children also reported that play behaviours were often restricted by parents, friends and school personnel. Fear of damage and unclear communication about the effects of activity also resulted in self-imposed restrictions, which further limited play experiences. Although the children reported a number of coping strategies to deal with these difficulties, they reported more indoor play and engagement in sedentary activities which often gave rise to feelings of being different, sadness and loneliness. These findings may have important consequences for occupational therapy and provide a timely reminder about the significance of assessing play and leisure as distinct areas of occupational performance in children.
Service Evaluation and the Service User: A Pluralistic Solution
Authors: Salmon Niall 
Published: April 2015

User involvement is a key pillar in the temple of clinical governance. There are many potential ways in which the service users of health and social care may act in order to achieve positive and constructive change. Service evaluation, however, has not historically been one of these. This paper looks at a model of service evaluation that can offer an empowered voice to service users, enabling participation in service-level evaluation and development. The pluralistic model for evaluation has a subjectivist epistemology, which stands in contrast to the scientific evaluation methods normally seen in health and social care organisations. It attempts to give all the stakeholders of a service equal authority and explores all perspectives to create a measure of success that is relevant and meaningful at the local level. This paper evaluates the theory behind this model and explores the pros and cons of this approach through recent examples found in the literature. It is hoped that this article will generate further thought and debate on this important and timely subject.
The Relative Importance of Factors Affecting the Choice of Bathing Devices
Authors: Pain Helen , McLellan D Lindsay 
Published: April 2015

There is only a small evidence base to draw upon when choosing assistive devices. Evaluations such as those funded by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency,* Department of Health, United Kingdom, generate data from which evidence-based guidelines can be compiled, but it is often difficult to determine the relative importance of the various factors involved. To explore the relative importance of the factors related to the choice of bathing devices, the Delphi technique was employed. Thirty respondents were recruited following a formal evaluation of bath cushions and agreed to participate in the study (5 users, 10 informal carers and 15 professional care assistants), with 14 completing the process. Three rounds were conducted, in which the respondents were asked to review a list of factors to consider when choosing bathing devices, to indicate the most important, to rank them and to comment on the results. The safety of the user was reported to be the primary concern. The factors that eased the care assistant's task were regarded as less important, but several respondents remarked on the interrelationships between the factors. The ranking of the factors may jeopardise a comprehensive consideration of all the needs assessed, especially with people who have complex requirements. The limitations of the Delphi technique in such situations are discussed.
Impact of Second Skin Lycra Splinting on the Quality of Upper Limb Movement in Children
Authors: Corn Kym , Imms Christine , Timewell Georgia , Carter Catherine , Collins Lucy , Dubbeld Stephanie , Schubiger Sascha , Froude Elspeth 
Published: April 2015

Spasticity can have serious functional implications for children with neurological deficits. Lycra splints may be recommended by occupational therapists to manage spasticity and improve function. In this study, four children with neurological deficits were assessed for quality of upper limb movement while wearing and not wearing an upper limb lycra splint. Two participants diagnosed with cerebral palsy were long-term splint users. The other two participants had an acquired brain injury and commenced wearing their splints during the intervention phase of the study. Using a single subject research design, 7–12 baseline (non-wearing phase) and intervention (wearing phase) assessments were conducted for each child using the Melbourne Assessment of Unilateral Upper Limb Function. The results show that one long-term user had a statistically significant decline in quality of upper limb movement during the intervention phase. One new user had a statistically significant improvement, but only on initial wearing of the splint. The results suggest that the effectiveness of Second Skin lycra splints was highly variable between individual children with spasticity.
The Impact of Adult Education for Mental Health Service Users
Authors: Westwood Jayne 
Published: April 2015

Occupational therapists working in mental health are increasingly using adult education as a resource. This paper explores the experience of attending an adult education course from the perspective of the mental health service user. Twelve service users were recruited from the Education Link Team. A qualitative design using a semi-structured interview was chosen to explore the benefits, barriers, drawbacks, enabling factors and impact on mental health for individuals who attend college. The results indicated that attending college improved confidence, self-esteem, socialisation and motivation. The service users gained knowledge and skills, had an increased purpose to the day and experienced improvements in depression, anxiety and psychosis. The fact that the course was discrete and the support of the health staff enabled the service users to attend college. The biggest barrier was difficulty in getting to the college. The drawbacks included difficult relations with others, work issues and anxiety. Areas for future study are given.
Occupational Therapy targeting Physical Environmental Barriers in Buildings with Public Facilities
Authors: Iwarsson Susanne , Fänge Agneta , Hovbrandt Pia , Carlsson Gunilla , Jarbe Ida , Wijk Ulrika 
Published: April 2015

The main aim of this study was to evaluate an occupational therapy based intervention aimed at increasing the accessibility to buildings with public facilities in a Swedish town centre, which targeted physical environmental barriers. The intervention was occupational therapy advice based on the environmental assessments of each facility, given to the facility owners in order to ease the removal of environmental barriers. Another aim was to elucidate the attitudes towards and the practical obstacles to the implementation of accessibility measures among public facility owners. Systematic on-site observations of environmental barriers were administered in five buildings with different facilities, at baseline and at follow-up 18 months later, and were complemented by semi-structured interviews with the facility owners at follow-up. At baseline, environmental barriers were found in all five facilities, such as at entrances, and at follow-up only minor improvements were identified. Two of the facility owners had made use of the occupational therapy advice, but the results also revealed scarce knowledge of or negative attitudes towards accessibility measures. Much remains to be done when it comes to attitudes towards the inclusion of people with disabilities. Active occupational therapy, as described in this study, can influence the situation only to a limited extent. Nevertheless, the results demonstrate that there is knowledge to be gained through this kind of approach.
Clients' Experience of Partnership with Occupational Therapists in Community Mental Health
Authors: Blank Alison 
Published: April 2015

The occupational therapy profession is committed to providing services that are client centred. Partnership with clients is seen as central to this way of working. However, there is little published evidence about the types of service and the relationships with therapists that clients value. This qualitative study used in-depth semi-structured interviews with seven clients from three adult community mental health teams to explore the experiences of working in partnership with occupational therapists from the clients' perspective. The interviews were audio taped and transcribed verbatim by the researcher. The data were analysed by means of content analysis. This established four factors that contributed to partnership: the therapist's personality, the therapist's behaviour, client-centred skills and boundary issues. Five factors described as barriers to partnership were also established: the lack of an individual approach, the lack of communication and knowledge, the lack of confidentiality, the directive therapist and inequality. The personality and behaviour of the therapist emerged as important, with the participants valuing those occupational therapists whom they perceived as warm, caring, committed and hard working and who appeared to value them as individuals. It was also found that the participants used the language of original writing on client-centred practice to describe their relationships with their therapists: warmth, empathy, trust and acceptance. Further exploration of the barriers to working in partnership with clients is needed, but the implications for practice are clear. Clients wish to be valued as individuals by occupational therapists who are committed to working in partnership with them.
An Evaluation of a Chronic Fatigue Lifestyle Management Programme Focusing on the Outcome of Return to Work or Training
Authors: McDermott C , Richards S C M , Ankers S , Selby M , Harmer J , Moran C J 
Published: April 2015

This article presents the results of an audit of clinical outcomes from an occupational therapist led service for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). The service offers group outpatient lifestyle management sessions, in which patients are encouraged to restructure lifestyle patterns in order to facilitate improvements in fatigue and function. The cohort studied consisted of 98 consecutive patients attending the service who fulfilled the 1994 Centers for Disease Control criteria for CFS. The median illness duration was 5 years. The treatment offered consisted of six group sessions in lifestyle management together with three additional review sessions. The primary outcome measure was a return by the patient to employment, voluntary work or training. The cohort was followed up at a median of 18 months using a self-report questionnaire. Among the treated patients, 42% (31/74) reported new part-time or full-time employment, voluntary work or training. The results of this study suggest that a lifestyle management programme offered by an occupational therapist led specialist service may provide positive outcomes, in terms of a return by patients to work and training, and indicates the need for a randomised controlled trial to provide definitive evidence of this.
The Therapeutic Use of Videogames within Secure Forensic Settings: A Review of the Literature and Application to Practice
Authors: Gooch Phil , Living Ruth 
Published: April 2015

Engagement in leisure pursuits that involves the use of tools and objects and the exploration of a new environment can provide a success experience that leads to increased feelings of competence and mastery. Such experiences are considered important in the rehabilitation of forensic clients. The findings from videogame research within a general population are compared with those among mental health and forensic clients. Within the general population, videogames may provide opportunities for social interaction and the expression of creativity and humour as well as offering a graded approach to building computer skills. Within a forensic population, videogames have been found to be a normalising, age-appropriate and culturally appropriate activity, useful in engaging clients and improving self-concept and locus of control. The findings suggest that videogame play offers access to a safe virtual environment that encourages exploration and mastery and that it may be a useful therapeutic tool in secure settings where such opportunities are often limited. The use and potential contraindications of videogames within a forensic setting, the content of certain games and their possible influence on behaviour and the implications for future research are also discussed.
A Description of a Functional Screening Assessment Developed for the Acute Physical Setting
Authors: Wilby Helen J 
Published: April 2015

This article provides a description of the development, process and introduction of the Structured Anchored Approach to Functional Assessment (SAAFA).1 The approach was designed to include a person-centred and time-efficient occupational therapy functional screening assessment that would meet the needs of patients and be appropriate for use in an acute physical inpatient setting. SAAFA assessments were developed to incorporate the strengths of both quantitative and qualitative occupational therapy assessments and research methods. Taken in the round, SAAFA assessments follow a process that corresponds with the four processes of qualitative research: data gathering, analysis, interpretation and reflexivity (Miller and Crabtree 2003). The SAAFA is a dynamic approach that continues to evolve in response to developments in theory and practice. Information from occupational therapists' reports of their day-to-day practice indicate that SAAFA assessments reflect the complexity of individual patients' functioning and lead to the development of recommendations based on pragmatic consideration of a wide range of contextual influences. Research on the SAAFA commenced in 2002.
Study at Master's Level: A Qualitative Study Exploring the Experience of Students
Authors: Conneeley Anne Louise 
Published: April 2015

The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the experience of students engaged in Master's level study. Six students who had completed the taught component of their degree programme before embarking on their dissertation took part in a focus group. The themes that emerged included the costs involved, perceived benefits, impact on practice and course-specific comments. The costs were seen in terms of stress related to course work and a lack of support. The perceived benefits included an increase in personal and professional confidence and growth, the development of critical and analytical skills, more career options and enthusiasm for practice. The impact on practice involved changes in relationships within the workplace, expectations of others and workload responsibilities. The findings could enable future students to make an informed choice in their decision to embark on study at Master's level and could further inform managers of services and educators involved in programme development and delivery.
The Journal Club: A Method for Occupational Therapists to Bridge the Theory-Practice Gap
Authors: Sherratt Charles 
Published: April 2015

There are still major problems being encountered by occupational therapists when they attempt to access relevant research material. One of the main reasons for this is that there are currently relatively few occupational therapists who are involved in any form of research on a regular basis. This article highlights the potential of the journal club as a means of introducing occupational therapists to research that will both be relevant to their work area and form a substantial part of their continuing professional development. A brief overview of the format and content of journal clubs both in occupational therapy and in other health care professions is intended to encourage occupational therapists to initiate their own journal clubs as a method of bridging the theory-practice gap that still exists in their profession.
Occupational Therapy for Children with Acquired Brain Injury: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Jones Pru , Drummond Avril 
Published: April 2015

The aim of this literature review was to examine occupational therapy input for children with acquired brain injury (ABI). Although 3,462 citations were identified by the literature search, only 10 articles met the criteria and were relevant to the review. The studies found that children with ABI had continuing difficulties, post-injury and postdischarge, with motor skills, self-care skills, cognition and behaviour. However, substantial numbers of children with continuing problems did not access therapy, particularly in the year postdischarge. Occupational therapy is often part of inpatient paediatric rehabilitation, but there is a lack of research investigating the effectiveness of therapy. The review notes the dearth of research and literature in this field and suggests that further research is needed to underpin practice.
Comparing an Occupational Therapy Definition and Consumers' Experiences: A Q Methodology Study
Authors: Corr Susan , Neill Gemma , Turner Annie 
Published: April 2015

Occupational therapy has been defined as a complex intervention (Creek 2003), on behalf of the College of Occupational Therapists. This definition was generated from a study involving occupational therapists but not consumers of services. The aim of the present study was to explore how Creek's (2003) definition of occupational therapy compared with the experience of ex-consumers whose contact with occupational therapy had been through stroke services. A Q methodology study was conducted with 16 participants recruited through stroke clubs in two large cities. A Q-sort pack of 32 statements was developed based upon Creek's (2003) definition of occupational therapy. Participants sorted the statements along a ‘least to most’ continuum, indicating how much each statement reflected their own experience of receiving occupational therapy. Following analysis, six factors were identified which suggested that, for these participants, occupational therapy: facilitated and improved their sense of self; recognised the importance of being heard; provided practical assistance; assisted with maintaining autonomy; generated the desire for involvement; and had general benefits. The factors identified reflected aspects of Creek's (2003) definition of occupational therapy and suggested congruence in certain concepts between the professional body and consumers. Although limited by the fact that the participants had accessed different occupational therapy services some time ago, this study also introduces a method of obtaining consumers' views of occupational therapy.
An Evidence-Based Approach to Choosing Outcome Measures: A Checklist for the Critical Appraisal of Validity, Reliability and Responsiveness Studies
Authors: Jerosch-Herold Christina 
Published: April 2015

Selecting outcome measures for clinical practice or research needs to be based on a critical evaluation of the evidence on the validity and reliability of the available measures. This paper presents both a theoretical framework based on the methodological literature of how these psychometric properties can be assessed and a checklist designed to facilitate the critical appraisal of studies on outcome measures. Through examples drawn from the published literature, the concepts of instrument validity, reliability and responsiveness and how these can be evaluated and reported are illustrated. It is suggested that a structured checklist can facilitate a more evidence-based approach to the selection and employment of outcome measures in clinical practice and research.
Transatlantic Collaborative Teaching and Learning via Information and Communications Technology
Authors: Robertson David , McCannon Robin , Caldwell Jennifer , Juwah Charles , Elfessi Abdulaziz 
Published: April 2015

The overall aim of this project was to investigate the potential of problem-based learning (PBL), supported by information and communications technology (ICT), to develop key, transferable and requisite skills and knowledge, which are critical for practice as an occupational therapist. This paper provides an evaluation of the potential of the ICT employed in the study to enhance learning and teaching. The project entailed a transatlantic collaboration between the faculty members and students of The Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen (RGU), and the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse (UWL). Thirty students participated in the project. The ICT employed in the project included videoconferencing, email and computer-mediated conferencing (online discussion forum). The faculty members of the participating institutions generated a PBL case. The students received the case material by staged release via the virtual community and worked on developing appropriate assessment, treatment and resettlement strategies in geographical groupings, supported by email and the online discussion forum. They met and discussed their findings via videoconferences. The findings demonstrated that the ICT used was robust and provided a viable means of delivering the project content. The participants viewed the technology positively and their confidence and skills in using the technology progressed during the project.