bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Most Important Activity and the Reasons for That Experience Reported by a Danish Population at Age 75 Years
Authors: Legarth Karen Hedvig , Ryan Susan , Avlund Kirsten 
Published: April 2015

The aim of the study was to describe the activities that 75-year-old men and women indicate as most important and to reveal why they find them important. The data were derived from a cross-sectional study of 748 Danish 75-year-old men and women, born in 1914. The people were interviewed at home by means of a questionnaire. The most important activity was revealed by an open-ended question: what is your most important activity? The answers were classified into three qualities: type, site and social relations. The participants were asked if the activity was important because it gave enjoyment, self-confidence, challenges, company, cooperation, usefulness, new skills and/or new experiences. A majority of the participants reported physical and individual activities as the most important and the reasons given by most participants for stating their activity as most important were work enjoyment and usefulness. It was concluded that attention should be paid to older people's possibilities for having important activities.
Women's Perceptions on Managing Chronic Arthritis
Authors: Goodacre Lynne 
Published: April 2015

The development of self-management strategies is an important aspect of living with chronic arthritis and an intervention to which occupational therapists devote a significant amount of time. Within this context, the evidence base is informed predominantly by research undertaken from a psychological perspective. Sociological approaches to living with chronic illness provide valuable insights into the personal perspectives of living with and managing chronic illness. Located within a sociological perspective and focusing on women with chronic arthritis, this study aimed to gain a greater understanding of the strategies that the women used to maintain activity and the integration of such strategies into their lifestyles. A longitudinal qualitative study using interviews, diaries and focus groups was conducted over a period of 2 years. The interviews and focus groups were recorded, transcribed and analysed to identify key themes and concepts. The diaries were analysed to provide insights into the daily activities of the women. Three interrelated themes were identified: the embodied experience of living with chronic arthritis, the development and use of strategies and the integration of the strategies into the women's evolving personal context. This paper explores these themes and discusses their implications for the development of self-management programmes informed by the experiences of people living with these impairments.
Practice Placement Education in Mental Health: The Educator's Experience
Authors: Mason Linda R , Bull Belinda J 
Published: April 2015

Practice placements have been identified as a primary factor influencing new graduates' selection of specialty preference. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to gain an understanding of the experiences and issues for occupational therapists when providing practice placements for students in mental health. This research was prompted by continuing difficulties in the recruitment and retention of occupational therapists within mental health services in Queensland, Australia, along with a declining number of offers for student practice placements. In-depth interviews with eight participants extrapolated four key elements in the experiences of educating students, which were time, energy, skills and mental health provider issues. The participants also identified determinants that influenced the decision to educate students, including professional responsibility, personal rewards and demands, and support needs. The inherent complexities of contemporary mental health practice, such as emotional and role demands, added pressure when educating students. The need for appropriate support and practice placement educator training programmes that deal effectively with mental health issues was highlighted.
Sexuality and Disability: A Case of Occupational Injustice
Authors: Sakellariou Dikaios , Algado Salvador Simó 
Published: April 2015

Sexuality is an integral part of human life; however, people with disabilities often report an unsatisfying sexual life. The aim of this study was both to explore the reasons for the reported unsatisfying life and to reframe it in terms of occupational injustice and denial of participation in meaningful occupation. In-depth interviews were carried out with six men with a spinal cord injury. Thematic analysis was applied to the data and formed the basis for the textural description of the participants' experiences. The study participants generally found that certain societal beliefs and attitudes had an impact on their participation in sexuality-related occupations. They were experiencing occupational injustice as a result of the restriction of engagement in meaningful occupation. Impairment per se was usually not perceived as a barrier to a fulfilling sexual life. The study concluded that occupational therapists should embrace occupational justice as the main purpose of the profession and include issues of sexuality in their agenda.
A Practice Placement Education Model Based upon a Primary Health Care Perspective Used in South Australia
Authors: Hunt Susan Gilbert 
Published: April 2015

Undergraduate education programmes play a major role in the development of the profession; providing practice placement education opportunities across a range of settings prepares graduates for the diversity of practice. This paper describes a practice placement education model, developed in South Australia, which enables graduates to work effectively from a primary health care or social health perspective to engage actively with the paradigm shift occurring in health. The model consists of three phases. Phase one comprises academic input relating to social health philosophy and the link with occupational therapy, as well as knowledge and skills in project management. Phase two allows students to explore a range of community-based agencies and potential project opportunities. Phase three involves the implementation and evaluation of a project aimed at addressing a specified need in the community in a sustainable manner. A synopsis of several projects is provided to demonstrate the variety of agencies and issues that can be addressed using such a model.
Factors Influencing Occupational Therapists' Clinical Decision Making for Clients with Upper Limb Performance Dysfunction following Brain Injury
Authors: Kuipers Kathy , McKenna Kryss , Carlson Glenys 
Published: April 2015

Occupational therapists make clinical decisions to help clients with upper limb performance dysfunction following brain injury to achieve their goals. Although occupational therapy services have traditionally been separated for paediatric and adult populations, it has been proposed that a common process can be used to make clinical decisions for children and adults with upper limb performance dysfunction following brain injury. This study compared the factors that influenced the clinical decisions of experienced occupational therapists who worked with either children or adults with upper limb performance dysfunction after brain injury to determine if the clinical decision-making process was common for all clients with brain injury. Eleven occupational therapists with experience in working with clients with brain injury participated in two focus groups. Six had experience in working with children and five in working with adults. The discussions were audiotaped, transcribed and analysed using NUD*IST Version 4 data management software. The intrinsic or client-related factors identified as influencing clinical decision making were the client's condition, personal attributes and occupational performance needs. The extrinsic factors were related both to the therapist (knowledge of ‘feel’, experience, treatment preferences, confidence and personal convictions and beliefs) and to the environment (context of service provision and organisational culture and constraints). The consistency in the factors identified across different caseloads appeared to indicate that a common protocol would be suitable for guiding clinical decision making for both children and adults with varying patterns and intensity of upper limb performance dysfunction. Further research is needed to determine the clinical usefulness of such a protocol and the consistency of client outcomes following its use.
A Systematic Review of the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure: A Clinical Practice Perspective
Authors: Parker Davina M , Sykes Catherine H 
Published: April 2015

Occupational therapists working to a philosophy of client-centred practice will benefit from a reliable and well reviewed outcome measure to provide an evidence base. A systematic review of the literature was undertaken to evaluate worldwide publications on the use of the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) to determine its impact on clinical practice in occupational therapy. A literature search strategy was deployed which resulted in a review of 64 articles. A themed analysis approach was used to integrate the results into linked and recurring themes. The focus of the systematic review was to concentrate on issues affecting clinical practice and the following were selected as key factors for consideration: negative and positive issues arising from the use of the COPM; impact on practice for the therapist, client, process and clinical work; and change initiatives for the therapist, client, process and clinical practice. A profile of all articles, which identifies where these factors are indicated, is presented as a summary guide to assist the clinician. The findings of the review indicated that the greatest impact of using the COPM was within clinical practice. Change initiatives indicated the need for further research in different clinical areas, as well as the continual development and need for more training of occupational therapists in the use of COPM as an outcome measure.
Randomised Controlled Trials: Part 2, Reporting
Authors: Deane Katherine H O 
Published: April 2015

Occupational therapists reading reports of randomised controlled trials and trying to interpret the reliability and size of effects stated are frequently frustrated by poor standards of reporting. They need to be able to evaluate the profession's interventions critically: to stop the ineffective, to reduce the hazardous and to promote the effective. Without good quality trials and trial reports, the profession will continue to be dogged by systematic reviews that conclude that there is insufficient evidence to support or refute the use of occupational therapy. These, in turn, will mean that the use of occupational therapy cannot be promoted strongly in national guidelines and, therefore, services may become restricted. This review covers some of the issues to be considered when writing or reading a report of a randomised controlled trial of a complex intervention, such as occupational therapy.
Creative Adventures and Flow in Art-Making: A Qualitative Study of Women Living with Cancer
Authors: Reynolds Frances , Prior Sarah 
Published: April 2015

This qualitative study invited women living with cancer who engaged in visual art-making to reflect on their experiences of the creative process. The study sought to explore whether the participants described experiences of flow during art-making and, if so, how such experiences helped them to cope with cancer. Ten women took part in semi-structured interviews. They described a range of difficulties associated with their illness. The interview data were analysed using a template approach, based on the theory of Csikszentmihalyi. The participants described a number of experiences that have been associated with flow in previous work. However, one aspect of flow, namely having clear goals, was not present clearly in the participants' accounts. The participants also described other facets of art-making that seemed part of the flow experience, including sensuous vitality, responsiveness to art materials and evolving imagery, and creative adventures. The flow experiences during art-making helped to banish intrusive thoughts about cancer, provided valued experiences of mastery and control and encouraged the participants to engage in positive journeys into the unknown, thereby alleviating some of the stress of cancer. The study offers a detailed analysis of the experience of creative occupation and has relevance to occupational therapists working with clients who have life-threatening illnesses.
Evaluation of the Implementation of the Single Assessment Process and its Impact on Occupational Therapy Practice
Authors: Ridout Alicia , Mayers Christine 
Published: April 2015

Ballinger (2002) stated that the single assessment process for older people presented occupational therapists with the opportunity to examine professional practice. This study, carried out during the early stages of the implementation, surveyed 54 senior I occupational therapists across health and social care within one city with the aim of grasping this opportunity. A 58% return of the total surveyed was achieved. Questionnaires were analysed using basic descriptive data analysis, concept mapping, thematic analysis and organisational model analysis. Themes upon which future improvements and research could be based were then generated. A picture of inconsistency between occupational therapy services emerged. Primary care therapists demonstrated the most client-centred practices, adhering more closely to the process principles and professional standards of practice. Social services therapists provided the lowest response rate and highlighted a number of key practice issues. Time issues, a lack of information technology, and frustration with and resistance to the changes inherent in the implementation indicated some therapists' disengagement with the process. Multidisciplinary team issues were highlighted by therapists working in integrated services. The therapists generated a wide range of strategies with which to improve the implementation of the single assessment process, including a more corporate approach to occupational therapy implementation.
Professionalism, Prejudice and Personal Taste: Does it Matter What We Wear?
Authors: Davys Deborah , Pope Kirsty , Taylor Jackie 
Published: April 2015

Personal presentation is a way of expressing one's identity. The appearance of the student or the occupational therapist in the workplace is part of his or her professional persona. Discomfort and debate can occur when an individual's appearance conflicts with role expectations. It is part of the occupational therapy educator's task to teach students the principles of professional behaviour and presentation. Based on a lunchtime discussion between three occupational therapy lecturers and underpinned by theory, this opinion piece presents some of the arguments surrounding the presentation of the self and what is required in order to work most effectively alongside the service user.
Sexuality and Occupational Therapy: Exploring the Link
Authors: Sakellariou Dikaios , Algado Salvador Simó 
Published: April 2015

Holism is perceived to be one of the major tenets of occupational therapy. This article discusses the relevance of sexuality to holistic health care and contributes to the continuing discussion regarding the legitimacy of sexuality as an area of concern for occupational therapists. Sexuality is an important part of the human experience and is linked closely with spirituality. However, it is often neglected by occupational therapists. The article explores the occupational nature of sexuality and demonstrates its connection with the core concept of occupation. Moreover, considering the importance of spirituality in holistic care, the article also presents an overview of the relationship between sexuality and spirituality and illustrates sexuality as a dynamic identity component. It is proposed that occupational therapists should recognise sexuality and its importance in the individual's life and incorporate it into therapy.
Upper Body Musculoskeletal Disorders among Australian Occupational Therapy Students
Authors: Smith Derek R , Leggat Peter A , Clark Michele 
Published: April 2015

Although upper body musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) represent an increasingly important issue for university students, few if any studies have targeted the occupational therapy faculty. Given this dearth of information, it was considered necessary to investigate a cross-section of Australian occupational therapy students by means of an established questionnaire survey. Completed replies were obtained from 95.7%, 100% and 97.7% (n = 44, 55 and 48) of students in the first, second and fourth years of a large occupational therapy school in northern Queensland, Australia. The 12-month period prevalence of MSDs was as follows: neck (67.4%), shoulder (46.3%) and upper back (39.5%). Three-quarters of all students (75.5%) reported an MSD occurring in at least one of these body regions. Over half (56.5%) reported an MSD over 2 days' duration in the past year. Almost 40% (39.5%) reported an MSD that had affected their daily life, while one-quarter (25.2%) needed some type of treatment. Logistic regression indicated that students aged over 21 years were almost four times more likely to report shoulder-related MSD (OR 3.7, 95%CI: 1.4–10.2). Year of study in the occupational therapy course was another important MSD correlate, with adjusted odds ratios ranging from 3.3 at the upper back (OR 3.3, 95%CI: 1.2–9.6) to 10.9 at the neck (OR 10.9, 95%CI: 3.2–43.8). Computer usage also incurred a certain degree of risk, with students who spent over 5 hours per week on the computer having an increased risk of MSD at the neck (OR 5.0, 95%CI: 1.3–21.5) and shoulder (OR 4.7, 95%CI: 1.4–18.3). Overall, this study suggests that Australian occupational therapy students have a large burden from MSDs in the upper body region, even more so than other student groups and some working populations. Since the distribution of MSD risk is not uniform among them, interventions to help reduce these conditions need to be carefully targeted. Further longitudinal investigations would also be useful in determining the mechanisms and contributory factors for MSDs among this unique student population.
Sexual Orientation and Occupation: Gay Men and Women's Lived Experiences of Occupational Participation
Authors: Bergan-Gander Rebecca , von Kürthy Heidi 
Published: April 2015

The researcher's personal experience, combined with the identification of the occupational therapy profession's past and present lack of attention to the issue of sexual orientation, stimulated the decision to undertake this research, which aimed to explore and understand the lived occupational experiences of gay men and women. A qualitative approach was used, working within the tradition of phenomenology. Five gay men and women participated in unstructured interviews. This research generated five themes, which provided insight into how sexual orientation can affect the occupations and the environment that a person chooses to engage in through heterosexism and fear of discrimination, prejudice and even physical attack. In turn, this influenced where and to whom people ‘came out’ and where and with whom people socialised, and possibly prevented them from engaging in occupations that they might either wish or feel they biologically need to do. This could lead to increased stress, depression, reduced support and occupational deprivation and alienation (Wilcock 1998), which may have a further impact on occupational participation. Research into how sexual orientation affects all client groups in differing cultures is recommended. A focus on occupational deprivation and alienation in gay people's lives, including occupations such as parenting, could also be further investigated, as could issues about socialising, discrimination, prejudice, family dynamics and support. Therapists therefore need to have the awareness, the willingness and the opportunity to consider sexual orientation within the remit of occupational therapy theory and practice.
The Use of Fair Access to Care Services' Eligibility Criteria for Equipment Provision within Local Authorities in England
Authors: Lett Karen , Sackley Cath , Littlechild Rosemary 
Published: April 2015

In April 2003, the national eligibility framework for the provision of community care services, Fair Access to Care Services (FACS), was implemented. The aim of the framework was to ensure geographical equity in the provision of services, including equipment and minor works, so ending the postcode variability of care described in the Audit Commission report Fully Equipped. This study reports a postal questionnaire survey of a representative sample of 100 local authority occupational therapy teams across England to examine the implementation and use of the criteria for equipment provision. A 60% response rate revealed that only 9 out of 60 teams (15%) used solely FACS criteria; the remainder still used local criteria. Between-colleague differences in equipment provision persisted (68%). This suggests that the implementation of the FACS eligibility criteria has not achieved its goal.
Playfulness in Children with Autistic Disorder and their Typically Developing Peers
Authors: Skaines Natasha , Rodger Sylvia , Bundy Anita 
Published: April 2015

This study investigated the playfulness of 24 children with autistic disorder (AD) and 34 typically developing children aged 3–7 years, in free (unstructured) and adult-facilitated (structured) play conditions within a clinical play environment. Video recordings of play were rated using the Test of Playfulness (Bundy 2003). The data were analysed using repeated measures ANOVA and ANCOVA and qualitative observations. The children with AD were less playful compared with the typically developing children (F = 49.64, p<0.001), even when developmental age was accounted for (F = 28.20, p<0.001). Both groups of children were slightly more playful in a structured environment with adult facilitation (F = 7.72, p = 0.007). Despite statistically significant differences in playfulness between play conditions, considerable overlap in observations for both groups suggests that this may not be as clinically meaningful. When developmental age was accounted for, the play conditions no longer had a significant effect on playfulness (F = 1.54, p = 0.220). The implications of the findings and the limitations of the study are discussed.