scholarly journals Final Year Students’ Knowledge on Basic Manual Wheelchair Provision: The State of Occupational Therapy Programs in Colombia

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
María L. Toro-Hernández ◽  
Liliana Alvarez ◽  
María C. Vargas-Chaparro ◽  
Mary Goldberg

Access to personal mobility is a human right and as such, it implies the provision of wheelchair services for those with mobility impairments that need one. Lack of appropriately trained personnel is a major contributor to the gap in access to wheelchairs. Assistive technology provision is one of the core competencies of occupational therapists. The goal of this study was to assess the current wheelchair provision knowledge of final year occupational therapy students in Colombia as measured by the International Society of Wheelchair Professionals Basic Wheelchair Service Knowledge Test. A total of 83 students from 7 universities took the test. None of the students met the 70% passing threshold. The highest scores were in the assessment domain while the lowest in the fitting and user training domains. These results suggest that the current wheelchair provision education received in these programs do not meet the World Health Organization guidelines on appropriate wheelchair provision. The implementation of strategies to improve current wheelchair provision education in Colombian occupational therapy programs is granted.

2021 ◽  
Vol 75 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nuria Menéndez Álvarez ◽  
Emiliano Diez Villoria ◽  
Estíbaliz Jimenez Arberas ◽  
Ana María Castaño Pérez ◽  
Antonio León García Izquierdo

Importance: For the first time in recent history, people worldwide have faced severe restrictions in occupations because of the measures adopted by governments to contain the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis. Objective: To determine the limitations on participation of occupational therapists and occupational therapy students during “lockdown” and their impact on social determinants of health. Design: A cross-sectional, descriptive study conducted via an online survey. Participants: A total of 488 occupational therapists and occupational therapy students in North America, South America, and Europe. Outcomes and Measures: A questionnaire consisting of the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health and items developed to assess the impact of lockdown on daily life was emailed to occupational therapy professional associations, organizations, and universities between April and June 2020. It was available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese and met all the parameters listed in the Declaration of Helsinki. Results: The roles and routines of people across the developed world have been affected by lockdown measures. The study shows marked differences between participants in the domains of getting along and life activities, as well as influence on the environment. Moreover, South American participants experienced these difficulties to a greater extent than European participants. Conclusions and Relevance: This study quantifies the limitations in the participation of occupational therapists and occupational therapy students and the relationship of occupation to social determinants of health. What This Article Adds: The results of this research corroborate the relationship between health and occupation and highlight elements, such as the environment and context, that are important in occupational therapy. Therapists’ ability to analyze occupation in relation to contextual and cultural factors will benefit clients.


F1000Research ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 75
Author(s):  
Carlos Eduardo Ramos Ataide ◽  
Alberto Gonçalves Matos Junior ◽  
Lorena Henriete Araújo Dias ◽  
Luciane Ferreira Farias ◽  
Carlos Roberto Monteiro de Vasconcelos Filho ◽  
...  

Background: In March 2020, the World Health Organization classified infection and contagion of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as a worldwide pandemic. Since then, health professionals have been tirelessly researching the symptoms and consequences of this disease in people's daily lives. Occupational therapists have also been mobilized to implement effective actions in order to guarantee the functionality and quality of life of individuals and groups. The aim of this article was to investigate what available resources there are regarding occupational therapy during the pandemic, and thus support and enrich professional practice during this time. Methods: A search for was carried out for materials such as technical notes, guidelines for working with COVID-19 patients, clinical trials, and reflections and debates on occupational therapeutic practice during the COVID-19 pandemic. Articles in English, Portuguese and Spanish were included. The search was carried out in the Virtual Health Library (VHL), Google Scholar, Latin American & Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS), Scientific Electronic Library Online (SCIELO) databases, Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE), Pubmed, and the websites of occupational therapy entities and organizations. Results: A total of 44 materials were found and categorised into performance guides, technical notes and scientific articles. The materials dealt with different themes, with a predominance of guidelines for hospital practices. However, there was also a significant amount of notes on the positioning of representative bodies in the preparation of intervention guides in wards, intensive care units, and outpatient and patient homes to support these professionals. Conclusions: The results demonstrate the quick response of authors in the field of occupational therapy, to combat the challenges and barriers of the COVID-19 pandemic. The texts promote scientifically-based strategies to provide the best assistance to patients during the pandemic period.


Author(s):  
Ilka Veras Falcão ◽  
Adriana Lobo Jucá ◽  
Sémares Genuino Vieira ◽  
Cinthia Kalyne De Almeida Alves

Uma desconhecida e letal infecção respiratória se disseminou mundialmente levando a Organização Mundial de Saúde a decretar uma pandemia pelo COVID-19. O Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) brasileiro adotou recomendações de distanciamento social, uso de equipamentos de proteção e outras, para prevenção a novas infecções. A demanda hospitalar é crescente, requerendo participação dos demais serviços, incluindo a rede de Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS), tanto para enfrentamento a epidemia como continuidade do cuidado a outros problemas de saúde. O objetivo é apresentar às experiências da Terapia Ocupacional no contexto da APS na epidemia pelo COVID-19. As experiências estão apresentadas como remotas e presenciais. O trabalho remoto usa a comunicação telefônica e/ou redes sociais para teleatendimento, telemonitoramento e reuniões de equipes. Atividades desenvolvidas pelas famílias são adaptadas, para que ocorram de forma segura. As terapeutas ocupacionais realizam grupos de promoção á saúde, informativos sobre a rede de saúde, orientações para isolamento domiciliar, atividades de autocuidado e funcionalidade para pessoas com deficiência, transtorno mental e outras com tratamentos interrompidos. Presencialmente, as terapeutas ocupacionais organizam ambientes e processo de trabalho, acolhimento, triagem e prioridade de atendimento, incluindo urgências por adoecimento mental, pânico e vivência do luto. A Terapia Ocupacional vem apoiando a equipe com escuta qualificada e uso de práticas integrativas. A epidemia escancarou dificuldades do SUS e as injustiças ocupacionais, as quais o terapeuta ocupacional e a equipe da APS já enfrentavam. A epidemia vai passar, mas as desigualdades e injustiças permanecerão e combatê-las com afinco e consciência crítica será fundamental. AbstractAn unknown and lethal respiratory infection has spread worldwide leading the World Health Organization to decree a pandemic by COVID-19. The Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) has adopted recommendations for social distance, the use of protective equipment and other measures to prevent new infections. Hospital demand is growing, requiring the participation of other services, including the Primary Health Care (PHC) network, both to face the epidemic and to continue care for other health problems. The objective is to present the experiences of Occupational Therapy in the context of PHC in the epidemic by COVID-19. The experiences are presented as remote and in person. Remote work uses telephone communication and / or social networks for teleconsultation, telemonitoring and team meetings. Activities developed by families are adapted, so that they occur safely. Occupational therapists hold health promotion groups, information about the health network, guidelines for home isolation, self-care activities and functionality for people with disabilities, mental disorders and others with interrupted treatments. In person, occupational therapists organize environments and the work process, reception, screening and priority care, including emergencies due to mental illness, panic and bereavement. Occupational Therapy has been supporting the team with qualified listening and use of integrative practices. The epidemic opened up difficulties for SUS and occupational injustices, which the occupational therapist and the PHC team already faced. The epidemic will pass, but inequalities and injustices will remain and tackling them with diligence and critical awareness will be critical.Key words: Occupational therapy; Primary Health Care; Basic Attention; COVID-19; NASF. ResumenUna infección respiratoria desconocida y letal se ha extendido en todo el mundo, lo que llevó a la Organización Mundial de la Salud a decretar una pandemia por COVID-19. El Sistema Único de Salud de Brasil (SUS) ha adoptado recomendaciones para la distancia social, el uso de equipos de protección y otras medidas para prevenir nuevas infecciones. La demanda hospitalaria está creciendo y requiere la participación de otros servicios, incluida la red de Atención Primaria de Salud (APS), tanto para enfrentar la epidemia como para continuar atendiendo otros problemas de salud. El objetivo es presentar las experiencias de la terapia ocupacional en el contexto de la APS en la epidemia por COVID-19. Las experiencias se presentan como remotas y en persona. El trabajo remoto utiliza la comunicación telefónica y / o las redes sociales para teleconsulta, telemonitorización y reuniones de equipo. Las actividades desarrolladas por las familias se adaptan para que ocurran de manera segura. Los terapeutas ocupacionales organizan grupos de promoción de la salud, información sobre la red de salud, pautas para el aislamiento en el hogar, actividades de autocuidado y funcionalidad para personas con discapacidades, trastornos mentales y otras personas con tratamientos interrumpidos. En persona, los terapeutas ocupacionales organizan los entornos y el proceso de trabajo, la recepción, la detección y la atención prioritaria, incluidas las emergencias debido a enfermedades mentales, pánico y duelo. La terapia ocupacional ha estado apoyando al equipo con la escucha calificada y el uso de prácticas integradoras. La epidemia abrió dificultades para el SUS y las injusticias ocupacionales, que el terapeuta ocupacional y el equipo de APS ya enfrentaron. La epidemia pasará, pero las desigualdades e injusticias permanecerán y abordarlas con diligencia y conciencia crítica será fundamental.Palabras clave: Terapia ocupacional; Atención primaria de salud; Atención básica; COVID-19; NASF. 


1994 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 76-78
Author(s):  
Sue Rugg

This article presents the results of a national postal survey to determine the type and amount of educational input on HIV/AIDS received by British occupational therapy students. All respondents (18/25 courses, 72%) indicated that they currently provided such input, with an average of 11.9 hours of course time being devoted to it. The majority of presenters were occupational therapists, although colleagues from many other backgrounds were also involved. Much of the material was considered in small group settings, with the content being balanced among a range of aspects. The article concludes that most British occupational therapy students are ‘positively prepared’ to work with clients with HIV/AIDS.


2018 ◽  
pp. 24-42
Author(s):  
MARÍA DALLI

In 1948, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted the first international text recognising universal human rights for all; the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Article 25 recognises the right to an adequate standard of living, which includes the right to health and medical care. On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Declaration, this article presents an overview of the main developments that have been made towards understanding the content and implications of the right to health, as well as an analysis of some specific advancements that aim to facilitate the enforcement thereof. These include: a) the implication of private entities as responsible for right to health obligations; b) the Universal Health Coverage goal, proposed by the World Health Organization and included as one of the Sustainable Development Goals; and c) the individual complaints mechanism introduced by the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (adopted on the 10th December 2008, 60 years after the UDHR).


2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esther Linnane ◽  
Alison Warren

Purpose Role-emerging placements have been used internationally within occupational therapy education but are relatively new to Ireland. At times, there has been a debate in the profession regarding the use of this placement model. This paper aims to generate views from both occupational therapists and occupational therapy students on the use of role-emerging placements in the Republic of Ireland. Design/methodology/approach Electronic surveys were administered to occupational therapy students and occupational therapists in Ireland. Quantitative data were analysed using the SPSS Statistics software package and the content of the open question responses were analysed into themes. Findings Occupational therapists (n = 60) and occupational therapy students (n = 45) indicated that there were inconsistent views surrounding role-emerging placements. It is deemed as an effective method for student learning, but apprehension exists around inclusion within occupational therapy programmes in the Republic of Ireland. Preference was indicated towards inclusion of role-emerging placements on a part-time basis within formal occupational therapy education. Originality/value Both respondent groups viewed that role-emerging placements can positively influence new areas of occupational therapy practice and concern over the use of the placement model requires further exploration and debate. This study is from an Irish context, although there are similarities with other countries’ use of the placement model. There is a need for research through an in-depth exploration of the learning experience of undertaking role-emerging placements from the students’ perspective and identification of supports required to promote an optimal learning experience.


Author(s):  
Jeff Clyde G Corpuz

Abstract The current public health crisis has radically altered the social and civic involvement in Southeast Asia. Although the virus has shifted the landscape of engagement, it has not dampened the enthusiasm of the public. In 2020–2021, more people than ever seem to be paying attention and even getting involved in activism. Many dramatic events happened during the coronavirus crisis such as from protests in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, public activism around the environment, economic inequality, authoritarianism and human rights violations. In Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and just recently Myanmar. The journal has lately published about the ‘Relationship of George Floyd protests to increases in COVID-19 cases using event study methodology’ and it has rightly expressed that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-recommended social distancing guidelines must be followed in a protest situation. In response to the situation of social activism in Southeast Asia, one must follow the CDC-recommended and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines in the Region. Although protesting is an individual human right, one must also be cautious and be aware of the deadly virus since we are still in a pandemic and the COVID-19 virus continues to mutate.


1999 ◽  
Vol 66 (5) ◽  
pp. 221-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenny Strong ◽  
Leigh Tooth ◽  
Anita Unruh

In recent years there has been a growing awareness amongst health professionals of the need to prepare undergraduate students more adequately for practice with clients who have pain. Occupational therapists have a central role in enabling such clients to have productive lives despite pain. In this study, an examination was made of the adequacy of preparation for pain practice in graduates from one Australian occupational therapy curriculum. Recent occupational therapy graduates from the University of Queensland, Australia, who responded to a postal survey, obtained an overall 53% correct response rate to a 69-item pain knowledge and attitudes questionnaire. Results indicated the need for further education in this area, especially in the areas of pharmacological management, and pain assessment and measurement. These results were comparable to those obtained from final year occupational therapy students at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia prior to undertaking an elective course about pain. Follow-up interviews with a number of new graduates supported the inclusion of an elective pain course in the undergraduate occupational therapy curriculum at the University of Queensland in Australia.


2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 03-10
Author(s):  
Celso Luiz Nunes Amorim

O direito à saúde é um direito fundamental. Várias iniciativas no âmbito da Assembleia Geral da ONU e no Conselho de Direitos Humanos reforçam esse pensamento. Neste particular, a criação da UNITAID, em 2006, foi uma forma de facilitar o acesso a medicamentos a populações mais pobres utilizando fontes inovadoras de financiamento. A instituição, hospedada pela Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS), busca melhores formas de prevenir, tratar e diagnosticar o HIV/AIDS, a tuberculose e a malária de forma mais rápida, eficaz e acessível, buscando conciliar a discussão de patentes com o direito inalienável à saúde. O artigo analisa o processo político e as negociações que levaram à Declaração de Doha sobre TRIPS e Saúde Pública, cuja importância é destacada, entre outros, pelos Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável aprovado por todos os Chefes de Estado das Nações Unidas.ABSTRACTThe right to health is a fundamental, inalienable human right. A number of initiatives within the UN General Assembly and the Human Rights Council reinforce this concept. Established in 2006 and hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO), UNITAID is engaged in finding new ways to prevent, treat and diagnose HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria more quickly, more cheaply and more effectively. It plays an important role in the global effort to defeat these lethal diseases, by facilitating and speeding up the availability of improved health tools and trying to reconcile patent protection with the right to health.  The article analyzes the political process and the negotiations which led up to the Doha Declaration on TRIPS and Public Health, whose importance – among others – is highlighted on the Sustainable Development Objectives approved by all United Nations Heads of State.Palavras-chave: UNITAID, acesso a medicamentos, saúde global, TRIPS, Doha.Keywords: UNITAID, access to medicines, global health, TRIPS, Doha.DOI: 10.12957/rmi.2016.27034Recebido em 28 de dezembro de 2016 | Received on December 28, 2016.


Author(s):  
Edward Giesbrecht

User training is a critical component of wheelchair service delivery to ensure individuals with a mobility impairment can negotiate environmental barriers and promote their social participation. A wheelchair “bootcamp”, delivered during professional preparation education, is one strategy to better prepare occupational therapists for clinical rehabilitation practice by developing their own wheelchair skills. The purpose of this study was a retrospective review of a large dataset of student cohorts from a single site and delineate bootcamp effects on the Wheelchair Skills Test-Questionnaire (WST-Q) scores. Participant data from eight cohorts was consolidated (n = 307). Comparison of two WST-Q scoring formats revealed significantly lower scores for cohorts using the 4-point version, which was subsequently standardized to the other 3-point version. WST-Q change scores were similar between cohorts, and differences were more reflective of variability in skill level prior to bootcamp than post-bootcamp scores. Students were able to master most basic and intermediate level skills, while advanced skill acquisition was much more variable. This study provides more precise point estimates of wheelchair skill acquisition among occupational therapy students than previous studies. While confirming the benefits of bootcamp education, recommendations for further investigation were identified.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document