bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The role of mentoring on research productivity among occupational therapy faculty
Authors: Paul Stanley , Stein Franklin , Ottenbacher Kenneth J. , Liu Yuanlong 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThis study surveyed junior and senior occupational therapy faculty in order to further understand the role that mentoring plays in research productivity. Junior faculty with and without mentors were compared in terms of their overall research productivity, and the senior faculty who served as mentors were compared with senior faculty who were not mentors. The role of institutional support factors on research productivity was also examined. The results of this survey suggest that mentoring plays an important role in increasing research productivity in junior faculty in the field of occupational therapy. Also, senior faculty mentors perceived their mentoring experience to enhance their research productivity. A general profile of an occupational therapy mentor and mentee has emerged from the results. Analyses showed a low to moderate positive correlation between faculty research productivity and a number of institutional support factors. Availability of intramural funds, release time, chair and dean support for research, grant writing seminars, and availability of statistical and computing help correlated with research productivity. The authors recommend the need for mentoring in occupational therapy academia. New faculty should have a mentor or mentors to help them succeed in research, teaching and service goals. Developing short‐term and long‐term goals with the mentor and periodic evaluation of goals will help new faculty to keep pace with the demands and requirements of their academic positions. Copyright © 2002 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Intermanual transfer of a new writing occupation in young adults without disability
Authors: Andree Megan E. , Maitra Kinsuk K. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractIt has been shown that acquisition of a skill by one hand is facilitated by previous learning of the same skill with the other hand. This is called intermanual transfer of learning, or cross‐education. The investigators examined intermanual transfer of occupation of writing in a group of 10 right‐handed subjects with no known motor disabilities. Subjects learned to perform a novel occupation of writing a foreign alphabet letter with either their right or left hand. Later, subjects reproduced the skill with the practised and unpractised contralateral hand. Pen movements and surface electromyography of the first dorsal interosseus muscle were recorded to assess the transfer of learning. Analysis revealed an almost full transfer of the learned motor task between hands in either left‐to‐right or right‐to‐left direction when movement time and movement size were compared. This indicates that transfer did not depend on hand dominance. These findings suggest that a task already learned by one hand can positively influence the learning of the same task by the other hand. The results have important implications for occupational therapy – namely, that activities comprising tasks previously learned by one hand would be more effective in facilitating improved performance by the other hand than activities comprising previously unlearned tasks in the case of retraining skills in patients with amputation or hemiplegia. Because the participants in this study were a small number of college students, research should be carried out with larger participant pools and participants with disabilities to consolidate the findings. Copyright © 2002 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
An organizational case study of the case manager's role in a client's return‐to‐work programme in Australia
Authors: Russo Domenica , Innes Ev 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to examine the case manager's role in a return‐to‐work programme in Sydney, Australia. The investigators examined the case manager's role assumed by occupational therapists, physiotherapists, psychologists and rehabilitation counsellors when providing occupational rehabilitation services. Files of closed cases (n=172) were examined to investigate the relationship between the case manager's profession and return‐to‐work outcomes. It was found that the provider of occupational rehabilitation examined in this study achieved above‐average return‐to‐work rates (83%), with no significant difference between case managers. There was, however, a significant relationship between the client's type of injury and the case manager (p<0.001), and case length was significantly different between case managers (p=0.004). The occupational therapist had the largest case management load (43%), followed by the rehabilitation counsellor (23%). There were trends (0.05<p<0.1) between the case manager's profession and return to the same employer, and return to pre‐injury, modified or new duties. The provider allocated cases on the basis of professional expertise and skill, which proved to be successful. The provision of workplace‐based occupational rehabilitation services combined with case management provides a comprehensive and attractive package to employers and other referrers. Further research is required to investigate factors associated with case management that improve return‐to‐work outcomes. Copyright © 2002 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Functional needs: agreement between perception of rural patients and health professionals in China
Authors: Murphy Donna D. , Lam Cindy L.K. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThis study aimed to investigate the common areas of functional needs of patients with different chronic diseases and to compare the level of agreement between patients and doctors, and patients and an occupational therapist, on perceived priority functional goals. A sample of 113 rural patients from Hebei Province attending outpatient neurology, orthopaedic and cancer clinics completed the COOP/WONCA Charts. These charts are a screening tool that assesses limitations in a set of functional domains. The 80 patients who indicated significant functional difficulty on the charts, 11 doctors and one occupational therapist then responded to questionnaires to elicit the perceived priority functional needs. Respondents remained blind to one another's responses. A consulting doctor and the occupational therapist saw each patient's COOP/WONCA Charts before interviewing the patient. Additional questionnaire items and a focus group interview provided data by professionals on health services thought to be beneficial to improve the function of clinic patients. The difference between the mean percentage of agreement on perceived functional difficulty in therapist/patient matches and doctor/patient matches was 18.5% (95% CI for the difference=12.4% to 24.6%). The therapist on average agreed or matched with patients significantly more often than did doctors (p<0.0001). The discrepancy between the doctor's and patient's perception of priority functional goals was substantial, indicating a need for initiated effort to narrow this gap. The match rate of doctors with patients in choosing priority goals was significantly lower than for the therapist with patients in this study. Doctors expressed a desire for closer involvement in clinics by appropriate rehabilitation staff. This could expedite the process towards the starting level of a patient‐centred approach to health care, within the natural context of teamwork, and with little disruption to clinic routines. Replication of this study using a control group would allow direct comparison of patient incidents when the charts are used and when they are not. Copyright © 2002 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Occupation reconsidered
Authors: Royeen Charlotte Brasic 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThe current article delineates the need for the profession of occupational therapy to maintain relevance and be responsive to current trends. As part of such responsivity, this article proposes a reconsideration of the concept of occupation as an ‘adaptive response’ to the current societal need for clarification regarding occupational therapy. Reconsideration of what is meant by occupation for general use is discussed and illustrated by the ambiguous use of the term occupation as both a means and an end. Although occupational therapists are comfortable with such ambiguous use because of their apparent ease with complexity, use of the term in an ambiguous manner makes it harder for society to understand what is meant by occupation. Related to this, an annotation of literature on the definitions of occupation is presented in summary form. Furthermore, the political need to reconsider the term occupation is argued in light of the revision of International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), which includes the use of the word activity. Finally, this article proposes that occupation should be considered as the process of doing with meaning, and that activity should be the outcome. Such reconsideration renders us consistent with ICF and paves the way to reduce ambiguity in the use of the term occupation with the general public. Copyright © 2002 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
The use of silicon gel for treating children's burn scars in Saudi Arabia: a case study
Authors: Brown Cary A. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThis case study is presented to illustrate the effectiveness of silicon gel as an important option in burn scar treatment and to provide treatment guidelines that address cultural, clinical and patient compliance issues in Saudi Arabia. The case study involves an 18‐month‐old child whose burn scar was treated for a period of 15 months with silicon gel. The Vancouver Burn Scar Scale assessment (Baryza and Baryza, 1995), used to track progress across the duration of treatment, reflected an improvement in the scar as the composite score changed from 9 to 2. Strategies for problem solving and addressing needs unique to the environment of Saudi Arabia were also developed over the treatment period. The findings of this case study indicate that silicon gel may be a superior treatment option under certain circumstances. Further research with a wider sample is indicated, given the high incidence of childhood burn injuries in Saudi Arabia. Copyright © 2002 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Therapeutic strategies used by occupational therapists in self‐care training: a qualitative study
Authors: Guidetti Susanne , Tham Kerstin 
Published: March 2006

AbstractSelf‐care training is one of the most frequently used interventions in rehabilitation. However, there is a need for clear descriptions of what occupational therapists do during self‐care training with clients. The aim of this qualitative study was to describe what characterizes the therapeutic strategies used by occupational therapists during self‐care training. Twelve occupational therapists working with clients who had had a stroke (n=6) or spinal cord injury (n=6) were interviewed and asked to tell a therapeutic story focusing on the self‐care training process of one client. Data were transcribed and analysed using the Empirical, Phenomenological, Psychological (EPP) method, a qualitative method that aims to describe the essence, structure and character of the studied phenomenon (that is, therapeutic strategies). The characteristics of eight intervention strategies, used by all participants during self‐care training, were identified. Findings showed that the occupational therapists' strategies focused primarily on how to create a relationship built on trust with their clients, how to find the right way to motivate clients, how to support the setting of goals, and how to provide enabling occupational experience and adjust training to the needs of the client, rather than focusing on teaching clients how to use technical and compensatory strategies. The general aim for using the strategies was to support the clients in taking control of their lives again. One conclusion from this study is that occupational therapists could, through understanding the individual's unique situation, vary their strategies and adapt themselves, like a chameleon, to meeting clients' experiences and needs during self‐care training. However, the therapeutic outcome of using these strategies needs to be verified in future studies focusing on clients' experiences from self‐care training. Copyright © 2002 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Occupational therapy adaptation of the home environment in Sweden for people with asthma
Authors: Frisk Margot , Blomqvist Anna , Stridh GÖran , SjÖdÉn Per‐olow , Kiviloog Jaak 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to evaluate changes of lung function, respiratory symptoms and indoor air quality after reducing allergens and indoor pollutants in the home environment of people with asthma (n = 21). A quasi‐experimental pre‐/post‐test design with one group of participants was implemented. The interventions included removal of wall‐to‐wall carpets (n = 14) or improvement of indoor air exchange (n = 7). Participants' lung function, symptoms, medication and type‐1 allergy were recorded before and after the intervention. The indoor environment was monitored at house calls by an occupational therapist using conventional physical, biological and chemical methods. There was an improvement of lung function evidenced by an increased mean Forced Expiratory Volume (FEV1 %) and a reduction of airway obstruction (reversibility, % of baseline value), which indicate an improved asthmatic condition. Lung function assessed by vital capacity, bronchial hyper‐responsiveness, mean of Peak Expiratory Flow, symptom score and medicine consumption did not change significantly. There was a tendency that the amount of airborne dust (p=0.06) was reduced in the indoor environment. Relative humidity, carbon dioxide, formaldehyde and house dust mite levels had decreased after the intervention, but not significantly. Asthma symptoms related to the home environment are probably caused by several factors. When people with asthma suffer from increased symptoms in the home, house calls should be performed routinely. Dust samples from beds and carpets for analysis of allergens give information about exposure, and environmental assessments should be performed before interventions. Occupational therapists can make a valuable contribution in evaluating the home environment and suggesting ergonomic adaptations for individuals with asthma. Copyright © 2002 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Validity of the Kohlman Evaluation of Living Skills (KELS) with Israeli elderly individuals living in the community
Authors: Zimnavoda Tal , Weinblatt Nurit , Katz Noomi 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThe Kohlman Evaluation of Living Skills (KELS) was developed to evaluate Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Instrumental ADL (IADL) in a psychiatric population. Later the KELS was assessed and adapted for a geriatric population. The purpose of this study was to determine the validity of the KELS with elderly individuals living in the community in Israel. The subjects included 92 elderly people living in the community, in protected housing facilities for the elderly, and those living in the community and attending day care. Instruments included the Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) to determine cognitive function, the Functional Independent Measure (FIM) to determine performance in ADL, and the Routine Task Inventory (RTI) as a measure of IADL to determine criterion validity. Results showed high correlations between the KELS and the RTI (r=0.895) and the FIM (r=0.70). The KELS was also found to be highly sensitive to the differences between all three groups, supporting construct validity. Furthermore, the KELS was found to be more sensitive to these differences than the other instruments used in the study. In conclusion, the results show the KELS to be valid and appropriate for use by occupational therapists with the Israeli elderly population, similar to the US population. The study's small sample size limits the generalizability of the findings. It is recommended that further research be done on the KELS with larger and more diverse elderly populations. Copyright © 2002 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Women's experiences of hassles and uplifts in their everyday patterns of occupations
Authors: Erlandsson Lena‐Karin , Eklund Mona 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate experiences of hassles and uplifts among women. One hundred working mothers were interviewed using the Target Complaints instrument. Content analysis, resulting in both qualitative categories and quantitative variables, was used.Working mothers' hassles were mainly generated by their social, temporal and doing contexts and illustrate the importance of considering women's total patterns of everyday occupations and not focusing one‐sidedly on the work situation when treating occupation‐related ill‐health. Women's uplifts were experienced through the social context and by doing such different occupations as going to the movies, cleaning the house, or attending a class. This indicates the appropriateness of using a client‐centred approach in interventions with openness to the client's unique situation. Unexpected occupations were identified almost exclusively among the hassles.This is important knowledge for occupational therapists since women will continue to be dual workers and at potential risk of developing unbalanced and detrimental patterns of occupations, in turn causing ill health. Copyright © 2003 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
A comparison of mothers' and fathers' experience of parenting stress and attributions for parent–child interaction outcomes
Authors: Esdaile Susan A. , Greenwood Kenneth Mark 
Published: March 2006

AbstractParents of children with disabilities are vulnerable to parenting stress, which may place them at physical and psychological risk. However, it is not clear whether fathers experience stress differently to mothers, or whether their experiences are reported less frequently. Additionally, there is little reported on the relationships and gender differences between mothers' and fathers' attributions for parent–child interaction outcomes. Parenting stress was assessed in this study using Abidin's (1990) Parenting Stress Index (PSI), and parenting attributions were assessed using the original (Bugental et al., 1989; Bugental and Shennum, 1984), and modified versions of the Parenting Attribution Test, also known as the Child Interaction Survey (CIS) (M‐CIS: Esdaile and Greenwood, 1995b). Participants were 53 mothers and 25 fathers of children with disabilities. Having a child with a disability was associated with elevated scores on the PSI; some gender differences were found. Only one significant outcome was found on the assessment of parenting attributions. Thus, the findings suggest that further research is indicated to explore differences in mothers' and fathers' experiences of parenting stress, and the assessment of parenting attributions.The fact that having a child with a disability was associated with elevated scores on the PSI for both mothers and fathers indicates the importance of considering stress management as an integral part of occupational therapy programmes that involve parents of children with special needs. Therapists also need to consider possible gender differences when planning stress management programmes including both mothers and fathers of children with disabilities. Copyright © 2003 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Content validity and clinical applicability of the Irena Daily Activity assessment measuring occupational performance in adults with developmental disability
Authors: Dychawy‐Rosner Irena , Eklund Mona 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to investigate the validity of the Irena Daily Activity (IDA) assessment which measures occupational performance in adults with developmental disabilities. The instrument's content validity was investigated by elucidating its general appropriateness, its clinical applicability and the feasibility of the measurement procedure. Data were collected from a multidisciplinary panel of clinical experts working in day activity centres. Each expert independently judged and reviewed the IDA instrument's content validity. The results show that the content validity index (CVI) values ranged from 0.8 to 1.0 for the instrument's general appropriateness and clinical applicability, and from 0.7 to 1.0 with respect to the significance of the IDA domains' clinical applicability. The applicability of the IDA items were judged as satisfactory (CVI ≥ 80) with respect to their importance for planning treatment and intervention. The feasibility of the measurement procedure was estimated as satisfactory in relation to the items (CVI ≥ 0.70) and satisfactory with respect to the time needed and material used, with CVI values ranging from 0.8 to 1.0. The results of this study support the use of the IDA as a feasible and time‐efficient assessment that provides insights regarding the occupational performance of adults with developmental disabilities. A limitation of this study was that it could not illuminate all‐important aspects of validity. In conclusion, the IDA has the potential to become a reliable and valid clinical assessment, but additional research on psychometric properties is still needed. Copyright © 2003 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Occupational therapy and early intervention: a family‐centred approach
Authors: Edwards Margaret A. , Millard Paula , Praskac Lee Ann , Wisniewski Patricia A. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to identify factors that encourage or inhibit family‐centred practice in the occupational therapy intervention process. A qualitative paradigm using grounded theory methodology was utilized to gather and analyse data. Participants included six families and four occupational therapists. Data analysis from the family interviews identified six categories: education, communication, relationship, parental roles, follow through, and scheduling. With further analysis two central themes of time and support were extracted from these categories. Analysis of the occupational therapists' interviews revealed six categories: education, communication, relationship, sibling/family participation, follow through, and empowerment. The central themes emerging from these categories are time and natural routine. The themes obtained from the families and occupational therapists were then compared and family individuality was identified as the core concept. Viewing families as a unique entity is necessary to assist occupational therapists in providing the most effective family‐centred occupational therapy. Copyright © 2003 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Reliability and validity of the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure for clients with psychiatric disorders in Taiwan
Authors: Pan Ay‐Woan , Chung Lyinn , Hsin‐Hwei Grace 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThe purpose of the study was to examine the reliability and validity of the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) in Taiwanese clients with psychiatric disorders. The COPM was translated into Mandarin and tested on 141 Taiwanese clients. The average age of the clients was 35.6 years; 94% were diagnosed with schizophrenia. The results of the study showed that the test–retest reliability of the COPM was r=0.842. The COPM identified occupational performance problems that included self‐care (37%), productivity (25%), and leisure occupations (20%). Fifty percent of the therapists were receptive in adapting the client‐centred approach and applying the COPM in their clinical practice. It was concluded that the COPM can be applied reliably to Taiwanese clients. Furthermore, the COPM was valuable in identifying information related to occupational performance that could not be identified elsewhere. Since 50% of the therapists felt reluctant about the appropriateness of the client‐centred approach in their culture, it was important to examine the gap between clients' judgements and actual performance, as well as to evaluate the feasibility of the client‐centred concept in clinical practice. Finally, the concept of the client‐centred approach needs to be disseminated and communicated to the occupational therapy profession in order that the COPM can be adequately applied in mental health practice. Copyright © 2003 Whurr Publishers Ltd.