Role Of Occupational Therapist Research Articles

Fostering the discussion of planetary health in occupational therapy and physiotherapy.

Occupational therapists and physiotherapists aim to promote health, prevent various diseases and help people in their rehabilitation processes. So far, there is a paucity of understanding of the big picture of how the new paradigm of planetary health (PH) is connected to the education and practice of these professionals. This research aimed to address this gap by investigating and deploying a bibliometric analysis to elucidate the pivotal role of occupational therapists and physiotherapists in addressing PH challenges. The ultimate goal is to construct a comprehensive framework crosschecking the bibliometric analysis and the collection of 10 case studies selected by experts to outline how best practices in occupational therapy and physiotherapy, related to the three pillars of sustainability and the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), can contribute to increasing PH. The bibliometric analysis revealed four major research strands: 1) enhancing patient care and quality of life; 2) integrating sustainability in health care and rehabilitation; 3) professional development and clinical competence; and 4) evidence-based practice and quality improvement. Moreover, further temporal analysis revealed how the topic evolved, from advancing evidence-based practice and clinical effectiveness, exploring the strengthening of health care and person-centred practices, to connecting the topic to aspects also predicted by the SDGs, such as integrating environmental and climate concerns in therapy and addressing psychological and self-care impacts on health. The case studies confirmed this trend, and a framework of PH in occupational therapy and physiotherapy through the lens of the SDGs was developed to support future research and practitioners in advancing this research field. Occupational therapists and physiotherapists are essential players in public health and can integrate sustainability at every level of practice, from using resources during therapy sessions to advocating for more sustainable lifestyles.

The role and effectiveness of occupational therapy in prison rehabilitation programs: systematic review

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to research studies in the literature regarding the role of the occupational therapist within penitentiary facilities.Design/methodology/approachThe study design is a systematic review using five different databases.FindingsFindings can therefore ascertain the potential role of occupational therapists in penitentiary institutions because they can contribute to the rehabilitation of prisoners both inside and outside prisons with a view to their reintegration into society.Research limitations/implicationsIt is necessary for clinical practice, and especially to increase the health of people within prisons, to update the occupational therapist interventions in the literature that are effective within prisons.Practical implicationsAccording to this study, the intervention of occupational therapists in the prison setting reduces recidivism and contributes to social and work reintegration. This has positive effects in terms of costs related to incarceration.Originality/valueFindings can therefore ascertain the potential role of occupational therapists in penitentiary institutions because they can contribute to the rehabilitation of prisoners both inside and outside prisons with a view to their reintegration into society.

Role of Occupational Therapists in Psychiatric Home Visits

Role of Occupational Therapists in Psychiatric Home Visits

Identifying the roles of occupational therapists among the LGBT community: An analysis of a panel discussion

Identifying the roles of occupational therapists among the LGBT community: An analysis of a panel discussion

Design and assistive technology: a tinder match waiting to happen

Abstract Assistive technology (AT) is any artefact that enables participation in activities usually limited by disability. Frequently, AT suffers from poor design engagement and utilisation. Moreover, up to 30% of all AT is abandoned within a year, negatively impacting users. This presents an ongoing challenge for occupational therapists (OTs) who work with assistive technologies. A literature review was conducted using a Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis protocol to understand this issue and its implications for the design community. This study explores current themes of AT abandonment and the role of OT within the lens of design thinking. Studies, including design intervention in AT, were subsequently highlighted. This led to comparing this literature with more traditional health literature, exploring the potential enablers and barriers for design in engaging with AT. This evidenced the benefits of collaboration between design and OT disciplines to improve the product and reduce abandonment issues.

Non-pharmacological interventions for managing delirium: the role of occupational therapists in the intensive care unit

Delirium is an acute neurological disorder frequently observed in patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit, characterized by transient changes in consciousness and cognition, generally for a short period of time. The objective of this research was to identify and categorize non-pharmacological occupational therapeutic interventions for the management of delirium in adult individuals treated at the intensive care center of a highly complex public teaching hospital. Through a qualitative, retrospective, applied study, based on documentary analysis, with an exploratory descriptive character, sociodemographic variables, diagnoses, information on assessments and occupational therapeutic interventions for the non-pharmacological management of delirium and outcome of the cases of 26 individuals. The majority of the sample was composed of males, with the predominant age group of 25-44 years and almost half had completed elementary school II. Most hospitalizations were due to traumatic urgencies. Of the most prevalent occupational therapeutic interventions in non-pharmacological management, the following stand out: temporal and spatial orientation; environmental organization and positioning; affective touch and welcoming and the naming, function and orientation of the devices respectively. Twenty-two non-pharmacological interventions for managing delirium were identified and categorized.

Collaboration within a curriculum of support in the classroom: occupational therapists' and educators' perceptions and experiences

Introduction: According to South Africa's key education policies, all children can learn and need support, necessitating collaboration between occupational therapists and educators. Collaboration between occupational therapists and educators within the classroom is however a relatively new practice in South Africa and there is a dearth of literature that report on studies in this regard. The aim of this study was thus to explore occupational therapists' and educators' experiences in adopting a classroom approach in three primary mainstream schools in the Metro North education district in the Western Cape. Methodology: A qualitative research approach andexploratory descriptive design was utilised. Data collection included semi-structured interviews and focus groups with educators and occupational therapists who participated in the curriculum of support in the classroom programme. Thematic data analysis was conducted. Findings: Three themes highlighting the meaning and value the participants assigned to classroom collaboration, andfactors that facilitate or limit the implementation of the curriculum of support emerged from the analysis. Conclusion: The study is useful in expanding the understanding of the changing role of occupational therapists within the context of inclusive education and contributes to the development of educator support strategies utilising the whole classroom approach. This approach entails the educator and occupational therapist working together in implementing activities in the classroom to all learners. These learning activities are based on curriculum themes and occupational therapy principles and components. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Occupational therapists' roles in the education practice context are expanding from traditionally working in special school settings to providing support to educators within public mainstream schools. The role of the occupational therapist within public mainstream schools is evolving from a consultative role and providing input into the individual support of learners to providing hands-on support to educators and collaborating with them within the classroom.

AN OVERVIEW ON SEXUAL BEHAVIOURS AMONG ADOLESCENT WITH SPECIAL NEEDS: A SCOPING REVIEW

Sexuality issues are rarely discussed in Malaysia and are considered taboo and culturally inappropriate. Sexuality is divided into three components; sexual behaviour, biological influences, and making sense of sexuality. Sexual behaviour is classed into non-coital sexual behaviour (e.g., fantasy, masturbation) and sexual intercourse (e.g., partners, sexual coercion). Note that sexual behaviour is individuals’ experiences of sexual feeling or expression, while any sexual activity that raises the possibility of getting pregnant or contracting a sexually transmitted diseases (STD) is referred to as risky sexual behaviour (RSB). This scoping review is conducted to determine sexual behaviours among adolescents with special needs, to investigate factors of their sexual behaviours, and to determine the need for sexuality education and the potential roles of occupational therapists (OTs) in managing their behaviours. The author independently searched through databases, for instance, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Web of Science, as well as PubMed, and 17 studies, met the criteria and were reviewed. Masturbation, inappropriate gestures and exhibitionism were common sexual behaviours among adolescents with special needs. Such behaviours were caused by a lack of sexual understanding, sexual knowledge and awareness, and pornography addiction. This review contributes to developing interventions that solve challenging sexual behaviour, rule OT roles in sexuality and guide parents with obligatory educational support in delivering sexual knowledge to their children.

Occupational therapists views on addressing the sexuality of adult clients in rehabilitation settings: A qualitative focus group study.

Sexuality is a common concern among people with disabilities or chronic conditions, and failure to address sexuality can lead to poorer rehabilitation outcomes. To explore the factors affecting addressing the sexuality of adult clients in clinical practice as perceived by Korean Occupational Therapists (OTs) and the perspective on what needs to be established to address sexuality in occupational therapy practice. This descriptive qualitative study using focus group interviews was conducted with 15 OTs providing rehabilitation services for adult clients in the post-onset maintenance phase or for outpatients in Seoul, South Korea. Data collected through focus groups were analyzed using the constant comparative method. The main factors influencing addressing clients sexuality in clinical practice were identified: "absence of institutional system for addressing sexuality in rehabilitation setting" for environmental factors; "lack of professional competency" for therapist-related factors; and "repressed sexuality" for client-related factors. Moreover, recognizing that "sexual health is one of the goals of rehabilitation" and prioritizing it in rehabilitation settings are essential. OTs must be "experts with knowledge and skills" to access the client's sexuality, and "education and publicity" should be actively conducted to raise awareness of sexual health for clients. To deal with clients sexuality, institutional preparation should be prioritized under the recognition that sexual health is one of the goals of rehabilitation. In addition, it is necessary to prepare a relevant curriculum for OTs and create awareness so that clients can recognize improving sexual activity as a role of OTs.

An exploratory study on the role of occupational therapists in home‐based rehabilitation team

AbstractBackgroundCooperation among rehabilitation team member is essential in home‐based rehabilitation setting. Q‐methodology that can quantitatively analyze the subjectivity of members of the rehabilitation team was used to explore the role of occupational therapists (OTs) in home‐based rehabilitation.MethodA five‐step implementation procedure was constructed and applied to categorize the subjectivity of the rehabilitation team members. Representative statements about the role of OTs consisted of 7 areas (52 statements). A total of 34 rehabilitation team members categorized the statements according to their subjective viewpoints, and factor analysis was conducted based on the correlation between people.ResultThe roles of OTs perceived by members of the home‐based rehabilitation team were formed into five factor. In all factor, views on the role of OTs in helping clients participate in their roles and activities at home were included. These factors included issues and directions addressed in prior literature on the development of occupational therapy.ConclusionIn home‐based rehabilitation, OTs must play a professional role in ensuring clients to live fully at home, and cooperate with team members for an effective rehabilitation approach.

Occupational therapy and its roles in implementing the WHO/UNICEF global report on assistive technology

ABSTRACT Occupational therapy, people, and assistive technology have a longstanding relationship. Occupational therapists have the broadest scope of allied health practice across the breadth of assistive products and advisory services. This commentary revisits key foundations of occupational therapy and assistive technology practice. It then examines the recent recommendations made within the inaugural WHO/UNICEF Global Report on Assistive Technology. Drawing on international exemplars of diverse practice and leadership linked to each of the report’s Recommendations, this article demonstrates core roles for occupational therapists as leaders and change agents in delivering on the imperatives identified for assistive technology and assistive technology users globally.

Referral networks for pediatric patients with genetic conditions: The perspective of occupational therapists.

Families of children with developmental delays but no diagnosed genetic condition may benefit from connection to genetic systems of care. This work examines the role of occupational therapy as a space for families of pediatric patients to gain access to genetic services. Between September 2021 and February 2022, we interviewed 20 occupational therapists in New England who work primarily with pediatric patients. We transcribed the interviews and used a grounded theory approach to identify and code recurring themes. The data reveal several barriers to linking pediatric patients to genetic systems of care, including lack of insurance coverage, wait times for appointments and test results, hesitant primary care providers, and familial and cultural stigma of disability. We discuss the unique role of occupational therapists as professionals who spend substantial time with patients, often in their everyday environments, to bridge these barriers. We also address challenges associated with occupational therapists facilitating connections to genetics services, including their lack of specialized knowledge of genetics and barriers fully integrating with others on the medical team.

Empowering Children and Families with Food Allergies: An Innovative Role for Occupational Therapy

Food allergies (FAs) have far-reaching implications regarding occupational participation. Children with food allergies and their families experience impacts on their daily life activities. The current standard of care for FAs fails to adequately address the wide-ranging barriers to participation in home, school, and community environments. This study used a mixed-method design to examine the impacts of FA on the needs of children and families affected by FA. Eighteen parents of children with FAs and six health care providers of children with FAs were interviewed; the parents also completed two questionnaires to identify the level of impact of FA on areas of daily living. The results indicated that parents perceive FA as a significant barrier to several aspects of daily life, and parents and health care providers recognized the need for additional supports for families of children with FA. Occupational therapists can intervene to help families with FA improve their participation in daily life activities while managing and limiting exposure to FAs. Expanding the role of occupational therapists to address the needs of families with FAs and recommendations for supporting this population are discussed.

A perspective on occupational therapy and assistive technology: Research, contributions, challenges and global initiatives

ABSTRACT Many occupational therapists are skilled assistive technology practitioners and provide a variety of services to assistive technology users and their families through their use of intervention models that integrate the client, occupation and environment. Occupational therapy education, translation of current research into practice and clinical competency ensure that assistive technology users can enjoy accessing their community and environment independently, safely, adequately, and freely. This white paper illustrates the role of occupational therapists in the provision of assistive technology devices to promote better understanding of facilitators and challenges affecting the provision of assistive technology globally. It also reviews literature and discusses positions of professional organizations. Finally, we summarize global efforts, recommendations and strategies to build collaborative partnerships, develop innovative service models, use best available evidence, advocate for supportive public policy, promote occupational therapy services and professional development relating to assistive technology provision, and increase access to affordable, quality assistive technologies worldwide.

Wheeled and Seated Mobility Devices Provision: Quantitative Findings and SWOT Thematic Analysis of a Global Occupational Therapist Survey.

To better understand the global role of occupational therapists and explore facilitators and barriers impacting user access to high quality, affordable wheeled and seated mobility device (WSMD) provision worldwide. Mixed-method approach utilizing quantitative findings and qualitative strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis of a global online survey. A total of 696 occupational therapists from 61 countries completed the survey. Almost 49% had 10 or more years of experience with the provision of WSMDs. WSMD provision had positive, significant associations with attainment of certification (0.000), higher service funding (0.000), higher country income (0.001), standardized training (0.003), continuous professional development (0.004), higher experience (0.004), higher user satisfaction (0.032), custom-made device provision (0.038), higher staff capacity (0.040), and more time working with users (0.050); negative, significant associations were identified with high cost of WSMDs (0.006) and pre-made device provision (0.019). SWOT analysis identified high country income, funding, experience, training, certification from global partners, variety of roles and practice settings, and interdisciplinary teamwork as strengths and opportunities for professional growth, while low country income, lack of time/staff capacity/standardization/support services, and poor access to proper devices were indicated as weaknesses and threats. Occupational therapists are skilled healthcare professionals and provide a variety of WSMD services. Efforts to build collaborative partnerships, enhance access to occupational therapists and funding options, improve service and standards for WMSD service delivery, and promote professional development will help to overcome challenges and facilitate WSMD provision globally. Promoting practices based on best available evidence for WSMD provision worldwide should be prioritized.

"Feeling Unwanted, When Nobody Wants You Around": Perceptions of Social Pain Among People With Autism.

A paucity of studies have focused on pain experiences among people with autism spectrum disorder, particularly those addressing social pain in daily life contexts or learning from the perspective of autistic people. To explore the social pain experience of autistic people. A descriptive qualitative design followed by deductive thematic analysis. Interviews were semistructured to capture the social pain experience, coping strategies, and implications for the participation of autistic people. Online interviews using Zoom videoconferencing software. Fifteen autistic people were recruited for the study using purposeful and criterion sampling. Four primary themes emerged from the data analysis: (1) a definition of social pain and the distinction between social pain and other types of pain; (2) the sources-internal, external, and combined-of social pain; (3) the loneliness outcome, which echoes the gap between the desire for and lack of social contacts; and (4) coping strategies pertaining to the continuum between inward and outward coping strategies to deal with social pain. The study indicates the existence of a discrepancy between autistic people's need for social interactions and the social pain they experience. It calls for intervention programs for autistic people to improve their coping strategies and promote their self-acceptance and better inclusion in the community. What This Article Adds: Promoting social functioning is a prime role of occupational therapists, and this article adds a novel theoretical model that contributes to that role. The model represents the social pain experiences of autistic people and their strategies to overcome this phenomenon. Firsthand accounts of autistic people regarding social pain enable a better understanding of their desire to be involved in the social context. This study suggests directions for further intervention programs to assist autistic people in fulfilling their wish for social relationships and enabling their enhanced integration into society. Positionality Statement: We recognize that use of person-first versus identity-first language is a source of debate and controversy. We have chosen to use identity-first language for two reasons. First, studies indicate person with autism is the term least preferred by autistic people (Botha etal., 2021). Second, autistic is the term used by the majority of our participants during interviews.

A Profile of Occupational Therapy in Australian Education

There is growing evidence for the need for occupational therapists in government-funded primary schools and preschools across Australia. Anecdotally and through some evidence sources, such as documented school policies and an international mapping review conducted in 2019 (Boshoff, Bowen and Gilbert-Hunt), it is evident that there are inconsistencies surrounding the role of occupational therapists across the different states and territories. In order to enable advocacy and further development of the roles, we aimed to establish a clear description of the role of occupational therapy in education, through collaboration with key stakeholders and information gathering from occupational therapists around Australia.
 As part of a student project, we gathered information from representatives from each state and territory, utilised existing documentation and worked with a steering group to consolidate the information and develop a summary report describing the role of occupational therapy in Australian education. We gathered information about the employment and funding of occupational therapists in schools, the service delivery models used, strengths of certain models and the challenges facing occupational therapists in schools.
 As primary outcome of this project, we provide a description of the occupational therapy role in Australian government-funded preschools and primary schools. The information gathered highlights the variation in occupational therapy presence, employment and service delivery across states and territories in Australia. It is evident that the majority of states and territories lack easily accessible documentation of the occupational therapy presence, employment and service delivery models. Key strengths and challenges were identified. Various recommendations are made for the profession and education communities to further progress the role in education nation-wide.

Potential roles of occupational therapists in urban planning for age-friendly environments: A Q-methodology

Background Urban planning for age-friendly environments is an important issue, and occupational therapists and occupational scientists could contribute to planning such environments; however, knowledge of the potential roles of occupational therapists is limited. Aim To explore the potential roles of occupational therapists in urban planning for age-friendly environments in Japan from the perspectives of occupational therapists and stakeholders. Materials and methods A Q-methodology study was conducted to gain viewpoints from occupational therapists and stakeholders regarding their roles in the urban planning of age-friendly environments for older people in Japan. Participants included eight occupational therapists and seven stakeholders who completed the Q-sorting process. Results Three viewpoints emerged which are interpreted as roles of occupational therapists: (1) Promote older people’s participation in everyday activities in their communities, (2) Advocate for older people towards policy-making to reflect their occupational needs or perspectives, and (3) Arrange neighbourhood environments towards enhancing participation in occupation through adjustments to compensate for functional limitations. Conclusion and significance Results reveal the potential roles of occupational therapists in urban planning for age-friendly environments in Japan. These roles can be a guide in the continuing professional development of occupational therapists in the fields of urban planning for older people.

Development and evaluation of face and content validity of a survey to examine wound management by occupational therapists in hand therapy practice within the South African context

BACKGROUND: Wound management is internationally recognised as part of hand therapy practice. However, the role of occupational therapists in this area of upper limb rehabilitation in South Africa is unclear AIM: To develop and validate a survey to examine occupational therapists' wound management practices in hand therapy within the South African context METHODS: A sequential exploratory mixed methods study design was utilised to develop a survey. Thereafter, a panel of 11 occupational therapists with relevant experience in the field rated the relevance of survey items to produce item-content validity indices (I-CVIs RESULTS: An initial survey containing 27 questions containing 214 items was presented for review. Experts rated 171 items (69%) relevant with an I-CVI of 0.90-1.00. A further 32 items (13%) were rated relevant with an ICVI of >0.80 <0.90. A total of 45 items (18%) were irrelevant with I-CVIs <0.80. The final survey consisted of 19 questions containing 139 items, excluding those that obtained relevant demographic data CONCLUSIONS: The survey demonstrated good content and face validity but is limited to use with occupational therapists in South Africa. Validation for use with different populations in different settings is recommended Implications for practice This article offers researchers within the field of occupational therapy methodology for the development and validation of a survey. Suggestions for improving the overall validity of the survey are given. The survey may be used in future studies with occupational therapists providing hand injury care in South Africa. Use of the survey with different populations requires validation using the intended target population.

Occupational therapy rehabilitation managers' perspectives on community integration of persons with spinal cord injuries in Nairobi, Kenya

INTRODUCTION: Spinal cord injuries (SCI) present complex clinical challenges requiring comprehensive rehabilitation management to facilitate adequate community reintegration. Rehabilitation managers are suitably positioned to enforce and enact policy related to holistic rehabilitation intervention, including preparing patients for community integration. However, due to discrepancies within the chain of care systems, they are unable to ensure individuals with SCI in Kenya are discharged to their respective communities fully prepared for effective community integration. Exploring their perspectives may therefore highlight potential barriers or enablers to ensuring more effective community integration for survivors of SCIs METHODS: A qualitative, descriptive study was conducted via individual interviews with 12 purposively sampled rehabilitation managers. Data were audio-recorded and transcribed and underwent content analysis FINDINGS: The study findings revealed inadequacies in the process of spear-heading and facilitating community integration of individuals that sustained a spinal cord injury. On the other hand, the study suggested possible strategies to reinforce community integration for individuals with spinal cord injuries by involving all stakeholders in decision making, addressing training gaps, facilitating research programmes and equipping rehabilitation centres with specialised spinal cord units CONCLUSIONS: Implementing disability policies to minimise barriers to community integration and access to essential services is required. This includes developing clear guidelines on comprehensively managing individuals with spinal cord injuries in the community within the Kenyan context Implications for practice • Occupational therapy managers have a role to play in the facilitation of empowerment strategies aimed at influencing community (re) integration of survivors of SCIs. • There is the need for the enactment of an effective rehabilitation framework to enforce the role of occupational therapists as a key role player in facilitating community (re) integration. • Goodwill is required from the governmental political systems and organisations to spearhead the enforcement of the existing disability legislation if the welfare of survivors of SCIs are to be achieved.