bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: All in the Mind? An Occupational Therapy Perspective
Authors: Moore Lucy 
Published: April 2015

This study aimed to establish the attitudes of occupational therapists towards chronic fatigue syndrome. Previously, no study had investigated the attitudes of health professionals towards this condition, which may be a factor in maintaining the uncertainty surrounding chronic fatigue syndrome. Twenty occupational therapists practising in either physical or mental health settings were recruited to this study. In order to achieve a depth of knowledge not gained by previous studies, the data were collected through a combination of quantitative and qualitative methodology by using a structured questionnaire and a semi-structured interview; the findings were analysed statistically and thematically. At variance with the literature, the results revealed a neutral to positive attitude towards chronic fatigue syndrome, with no significant difference in responses from participants practising in physical or mental health settings. A unique and valuable role was clearly identified for the profession of occupational therapy within the wider multidisciplinary framework. However, as 16 (80%) of the participants had met individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome, the lack of knowledge and need for further education and training were highlighted. Continuing professional development is fundamental in order to provide appropriate, sensitive and holistic services in the future for all individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome.
Research and Development Board: The Research Assessment Exercise — Implications for the Future of Occupational Therapy
Authors: Ilott Irene , White Elizabeth 
Published: April 2015

The Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) is one of the most important policies that determine public expenditure of nearly one billion pounds in higher education. Although a minority of occupational therapy personnel are involved, all have an investment in the outcomes which support evidence-based services. This report outlines the Research and Development Board's responses to the Higher Education Funding Council's consultation exercises since 1997. The aim is to highlight the implications of this policy for supporting a research-active community, able to contribute to the development of the profession. Particular attention is given to the collaborative approach taken as a member of the Joint Therapies Research Group. A longer-term, pragmatic strategy is described as part of the preparation for the next RAE in 2001 and beyond. This fits with the current fundamental review of research funding and policy and the recognition of the damage inflicted upon emergent disciplines and health service research by previous RAEs.
Managing Carer Stress: An Evaluation of a Stress Management Programme for Carers of People with Dementia
Authors: Mitchell Eileen 
Published: April 2015

This article examines the effect of carer stress management using the Carers' Checklist (Hodgson et al 1998) as a measure of outcome. Pre-course and post-course questionnaires were used with carers, identified by health and social services professionals, who agreed to attend a structured stress management course. Seven out of the 10 identified carers, who resided in the West Dorset area, participated. Only one carer's wife was a resident in a nursing home; the others were caring actively at home. The main measures of outcome were the burden of care, including social, financial and physical demands in terms of the carers' own experience, and their level of understanding of stress management techniques. The carers who attended demonstrated a better awareness and understanding of stress and its management following the course. Positive measures of outcome were also determined by a decrease in the carers' rating in frequency of dementia-related problems, carer burden of dementia-related problems and overall carer burden. The findings confirm that structured stress management can reduce carer burden and offer better coping strategies through raising carers' awareness and understanding.
Confessions of an Occupational Therapist Who Became a Detective
Authors: Yerxa Elizabeth J 
Published: April 2015

This life history of an occupational therapist traces her evolution from a biomedical technician to a ‘detective’, who searches for new ideas that will support clinical practice and enable the profession to achieve its potential contribution to humankind. These ideas focus on ‘homo occupacio’, the occupational human: an agent who sets goals, makes choices and becomes competent through engagement in occupation. Concepts such as motivation, self-organisation, skill development, resource reclamation, brain evolution, repertoires of daily routines, environmental management and defining health as the capacity to achieve one's valued goals illuminate occupation. The contexts in which people carry out their rounds of occupation also require study in order for occupational therapists to pose a ‘just right’ level of environmental challenge, enabling people to make an adaptive response in user-friendly environments. Recommended sources for new ideas are, first, self-reports of people who live with impairments and, second, literature from non-medical disciplines that share occupational therapy's holistic, integrated and optimistic view of people. The writings of people who live with chronic conditions reveal that they are not being served well by the current biomedical system. In contrast, scholarly detective work could foster occupational therapy that enhances satisfaction in daily living, influences health, reclaims resources and enables equality of capability for myriads of the world's populations. A keynote address, given on 8 September 1999 at the Inaugural United Kingdom Occupational Science Symposium, held at the College of Ripon and York St John, York.
Occupational Deprivation: Global Challenge in the New Millennium
Authors: Whiteford Gail 
Published: April 2015

Occupational deprivation is a relatively new term which describes a state in which people are precluded from opportunities to engage in occupations of meaning due to factors outside their control. As we face the new millennium, it seems likely that, due to widespread social and economic change as well as increasing civil unrest, occupational deprivation will be experienced by increasing numbers of people globally. This article describes the conceptual origins of occupational deprivation, presents definitions of the term and discusses specific populations that may be vulnerable to being occupationally deprived. Global, contextual issues of economic reform and technological advances are addressed with specific reference to these populations. Finally, consideration is given as to how an understanding of occupational deprivation is of relevance to occupational therapy and its concern with social and occupational justice.
Single-System Design: An Effective Strategy for Evaluating Clinical Change
Authors: Joshi Anjali S 
Published: April 2015

Documentation and research are two essential factors for the growth of any profession and, therefore, have priority in occupational therapy. Documentation is the key to the communication of the clinical services rendered by the occupational therapist to clients and to other members of the professional team (Gillette 1982, Ottenbacher and York 1984). Single-system research, sometimes referred to as single-subject research, is a quantitative research method. In single-system research, the efficacy of a certain intervention can be evaluated in a systematic way by studying one subject in a single setting (Ottenbacher 1984). A therapist can make use of any therapeutic technique to work in a single-system design. Gillette (1982, p499) stated: ‘Each occupational therapy clinic is a virtually untouched laboratory, a storehouse of evidence that, properly recorded, analysed and published, would serve to confirm the value of occupational therapy as a health care service.’ This article describes the application of single-system design in a clinical setting. The client discussed was treated using sensory integrative therapy. The purpose of this article is to show how a selected behaviour can be recorded and measured effectively using a single-system design.
A Revised Occupational Therapy Definition of Client-Centred Practice
Authors: Sumsion Thelma 
Published: April 2015

This paper reports on the second phase of a research project to determine a British occupational therapy definition of client-centred practice. Sixty-seven occupational therapists participated in nine focus groups, structured according to the nominal group technique. These groups involved therapists working in social services, mental health, learning disabilities, paediatrics, neurology, a wheelchair service and with elderly clients and there were two groups in general medicine. A hundred and sixty-five components of client-centred practice were generated and subsequently analysed to form seven themes. Frequencies and medians of the components ranked in the top five were also calculated. In addition, three questions were asked to solicit opinions on the definition that was created in the first phase of this study and frequencies were also determined from these responses. All these data were used to inform revisions to the definition created in phase one. This revised definition was then reviewed by members of the Council of the College of Occupational Therapists as the final validating group. The resulting final definition will enable therapists to determine whether or not they are using a client-centred approach.
Rehabilitation in Severe Ideomotor Apraxia Using Sensory Stimulation Strategies: A Single-Case Experimental Design Study
Authors: Butler Jenny 
Published: April 2015

This study was designed to evaluate the treatment of a young head-injured woman with ideomotor apraxia. An ABA (baseline, intervention, baseline) single-case experimental design was employed to evaluate the impact of sensory stimulation on motor performance, using a range of measures including a simple timed task and active finger and hand movements measured by goniometry. A key finding was the extent of variance in performance day by day in both the baseline and intervention phases, although a reduction in that variability was achieved in the intervention phase of the study. Improvements were noted in motor performance across all the measures in the intervention phase of the study, although such improvements could not be attributed to sensory stimulation procedures alone. Improvements in motor performance were found immediately following sensory stimulation procedures, but no carryover was noted from one day to the next. This study suggests that practice in motor performance could enhance specific actions in people with ideomotor apraxia.
Can Entry Qualifications be Used to Predict Fieldwork and Academic Outcomes in Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy Students?
Authors: Howard Lynne , Jerosch-Herold Christina 
Published: April 2015

This paper examines the relationships between the entry qualifications and the fieldwork score, academic score and final degree score of a group of 168 occupational therapy and physiotherapy students. The data were gathered from spreadsheets showing the results of students' practical and written assignments and their final degree score computed from these. Details of entry qualifications were obtained from students' personal files. Statistical analyses were carried out on the data obtained to support or refute hypotheses generated by the literature search. It was found that the physiotherapy students with A-levels had higher average scores on entry than the occupational therapy students but that, over the 3 years of their degree, this discrepancy disappeared and there was no significant difference in either fieldwork score or final degree score between the two sets of students. A statistically significant difference was, however, found between the final academic scores of physiotherapy students entering with qualifications other than A-levels, mostly BTEC, and those with A-levels. The results suggest that entry qualifications are poor predictors of both fieldwork and academic outcomes and support the School of Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy at the University of East Anglia in its policy of a flexible approach to entry requirements; however, careful monitoring should be continued.
Transition from Student to Practitioner: The Role of Expectations, Values and Personality
Authors: Sutton Gigi , Griffin Mark Anthony 
Published: April 2015

Research into occupational therapy job satisfaction has been driven largely by concerns regarding recruitment and retention. There is a need to develop more robust theoretically sound methodologies for the investigation of job satisfaction within the profession. This article presents the initial findings of a national longitudinal study of Australian occupational therapists. The respondents (n=295) were investigated immediately prior to graduation with respect to their expectations about working as an occupational therapist, their work values and their work preferences. A personality profile was also administered. The findings indicate that students hold inflated expectations about their first job and retain traditional occupational therapy work values. Demographic and personality profiles reflect those of the international student body and can assist in the prediction of student expectations.
Basic Grade Occupational Therapists: A Descriptive Evaluation of a Community Rotation Scheme
Authors: Ryrie Iain , Williams Hilary , Wamsley Richard , Dwyer Jo 
Published: April 2015

Difficulties in recruiting staff to National Health Service (NHS) facilities have been noted in the literature and, among occupational therapists, this problem is particularly acute in urban areas. One inner-city NHS trust responded to this difficulty by establishing a rotation scheme that allowed basic grade occupational therapists to gain experience in a range of community-based posts. There appear to be few precedents for such a scheme and the experience of newly qualified staff in non-traditional settings is rarely documented in the literature. The present study sought to evaluate the basic grade community rotation scheme in terms of the postholders' perceptions. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered which elicited their views on role clarity, multidisciplinary working practices, access to professional support, levels of occupational stress and job satisfaction. The findings indicate a number of benefits from the community rotation scheme, such as the development of autonomous practice and the varied nature of the work. Disadvantages were also evident, such as a lack of role clarity and the tendency for generic working practices to emerge within multidisciplinary teams. The findings are considered in relation to the literature and the implications for further investigation are discussed. It is concluded that further work is needed in this area to facilitate the recruitment and retention of current and future practitioners.
Sexual Aspects of Rehabilitation: The Client's Perspective
Authors: Northcott Rebekah , Chard Gill 
Published: April 2015

This paper outlines the findings of a small-scale study that explored disabled people's experiences of the sexual aspects of rehabilitation. It focuses on whether this should be the role of the occupational therapist or not. Sexuality is a complex area that encompasses many facets of the individual and is different to sexual functioning. The literature demonstrates that disability in any form may potentially result in problems with respect to sexuality as well as sexual functioning. Seven in-depth interviews were carried out with disabled people aged between 30 and 50 years. Although the sexual functioning of six participants was affected, only two had received information on sexual aspects of rehabilitation. All believed that they should receive advice and information on the sexual aspects of their rehabilitation, but were uncertain as to who should take responsibility for this role. The findings from this study suggest that any health professional would be appropriate for this responsibility, including occupational therapists, but that they would need specialist training. Undergraduate education and training for occupational therapists should address basic issues of sexuality and disability, and provide opportunities for individuals to explore their own values and beliefs so that they feel confident in discussing sexual issues with clients. Health professionals who work with clients with specific sexual needs are likely to require additional training in this sensitive area.
An Introduction to Play and the Preschool Child with Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Ziviani Jenny , Boyle Moira , Rodger Sylvia 
Published: April 2015

As the main occupation of childhood, play is considered by occupational therapists as an important vehicle for the assessment and treatment of preschool children. For the child with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), play not only offers a mechanism whereby the severity of the disorder can be ascertained but also enables interventions to be implemented and monitored. This paper aims to summarise the current literature as it relates to the play of children with ASD. By doing so, it alerts the reader to the complexity of the issue of play as a means of assessment and intervention and highlights areas of continuing clinical and research concern.
The Impact of the Different Disabilities Arising from Head Injury on the Primary Caregiver
Authors: Connolly Deirdre , O'Dowd Tom 
Published: April 2015

One of the major challenges of coping with head injury is that people are often unprepared for, and unaware of, the potentially harsh reality that can have an impact on the family. This study was carried out to examine the association between motor, cognitive, behavioural, perceptual, and speech and language disabilities and the levels of stress and strain on the carers. Two scales were used to measure stress and strain. The results showed that, in this group (n = 70), behavioural disabilities were most strongly associated with the carers' self-concepts, such as self-esteem and feelings of competence. Motor and cognitive disabilities were associated with strain on roles and activities outside the caregiving situation. These results have implications for practice and service providers. They indicate that services and intervention strategies must place greater emphasis on addressing the possible impact of behavioural disabilities on the carer's self-concept and that respite services should be available to allow the carer time to fulfil other roles and responsibilities that are neglected due to cognitive and motor disabilities.
Fieldwork within the Context of Higher Education: A Literature Review
Authors: Bonello Marjorie 
Published: April 2015

Fieldwork education is a critical and an indisputable component within occupational therapy curricula. It presents the opportunity for the integration of theory and practice, enabling the development of professional behaviour in students. Over the last decade, several authors have evaluated, debated and reflected upon the processes and contents of fieldwork so as to present the best practices which would truly provide meaningful learning experiences for the students. This article documents a cross-section of the literature as seen within the context of higher education and professional practice in a climate of changing health care systems.
Occupational Therapists' Views and Perceptions of Evidence-Based Practice
Authors: Curtin Michael , Jaramazovic Emily 
Published: April 2015

In spite of the developments within health and social care, little research has been published that specifically identifies the views and perceptions that occupational therapists working in England have of evidence-based practice (EBP). This study used qualitative and quantitative methodologies in two distinct phases. Initially, focus groups were used to explore the views and perceptions that senior occupational therapists working in different settings had of EBP. In the second phase, the findings from the focus groups, alongside the results from a study conducted by Wiles and Barnard (1998), were used to design a questionnaire to canvass the views and perceptions of a larger number of occupational therapists within the South and West Region of England. Of 653 questionnaires distributed, 500 (76.5%) were returned and analysed. The findings indicated that the respondents were positive about EBP. The lack of time and the high staff turnover and staff shortages were seen as major barriers to the implementation of EBP. Support from managers and colleagues, along with personal motivation and access to resources, enabled the implementation of EBP. Many respondents felt that they required more training about EBP. This research indicates that practical initiatives assisting the implementation of EBP are likely to be met with enthusiasm by occupational therapists.
Independence and Empowerment: Evidence from the Student Perspective
Authors: Taylor M Clare 
Published: April 2015

The terms ‘independence’ and ‘empowerment’ are used to underpin much of what occupational therapists do. This paper presents a study that explored how occupational therapy students' knowledge and understanding of these concepts change and develop throughout the initial stages of their professional socialisation (their undergraduate years). Using a qualitative methodology and a case study approach, the longitudinal study followed one cohort of occupational therapy students through the 3 years of their undergraduate course. Data were collected during a series of three in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 10 participants from the student cohort. The findings highlight not only how ideas linked to independence and empowerment change and develop, but also the factors perceived by the participants as central to this process of change. The implications of these findings are discussed in relation to students' ability to engage in reflection and to articulate their reasoning and the values that underpin their practice.
The Use of Transport by Stroke Patients
Authors: Logan P A , Gladman J R F , Radford K A 
Published: April 2015

The objectives of this research were to survey the use of transport by stroke patients in the community and study its relationship to their activities of daily living and mood. The records of 90 consecutive stroke patients receiving community occupational therapy in a rehabilitation trial were surveyed for entries of therapy related to transport. A further 50 stroke patients in the same study were surveyed about their use of transport one year after discharge from hospital. In the survey of occupational therapy notes, a transport assessment had been recorded for all 90 patients. Of these, 22 patients had been given leaflets describing the range of transport options locally but had been unable to use these options. In the survey of transport use, 42/50 (84%) patients surveyed at one year responded. Twenty-one (50%) had used transport on their own, six of whom scored <26/66 on the Extended Activities of Daily Living scale (indicating that they needed help in most activities of daily living). Twenty-one (50%) patients had not travelled alone, four of whom scored >48/66 on the Extended Activities of Daily Living scale (very able in activities of daily living). Only 1 (2%) patient had used specialist transport and 22 (52%) reported that they did not get out as much as they wished. Despite receiving advice, these patients did not use specialist transport options, yet many still wanted to get out more. The reason for this is unclear but it is not due simply to physical disability.