scholarly journals The central role of the occupational therapist in facilitating housing adaptations/home modifications for disabled children

2017 ◽  
Vol 80 (6) ◽  
pp. 375-383
Author(s):  
Gail Boniface ◽  
Deborah Morgan
Keyword(s):  
Positive Impact ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Occupational Therapist ◽  
Specific Information ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Negative Experience ◽  
Home Modifications ◽  
Information And Communication

Introduction Six reviews/inquiries into housing adaptations/home modifications processes occurred in Wales between 2004 and 2015. One resulted in the removal of the means test for children's Disabled Facilities Grants. This research investigated families' and professionals' experiences of the adaptations/home modification process to gain an understanding of their views and experiences. Method Mixed methods of an online questionnaire for professionals, and semi-structured interviews or an online questionnaire for families (depending on their preference), were employed. Forty-eight families participated and an additional 16 families responded to an online questionnaire. Analysis of qualitative data identified emergent themes, which are discussed in this article. Findings The themes were: poor information and communication mainly aimed at older adults; negative experience of the process; and the positive impact of the completed adaptation. Additionally, whilst undergoing the process, families felt that they needed a contact to guide them through the process. This contact was often by default the community occupational therapist. Conclusion A single contact person should be made available for families; occupational therapists should consider their part in that role; more specific information on children's needs should be provided; families need to recognize the part they can play in adding to delays in the delivery of adaptations.

scholarly journals Providing multilingual logistics communication in COVID-19 disaster relief

Multilingua ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 517-528
Author(s):  
Jie Zhang ◽  
Yuqin Wu
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Disaster Relief ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Social Media Platforms ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Response And Recovery ◽  
Important Means ◽  
National Emergency ◽  
The Impact

AbstractTranslation is an important means of enabling access to information in an emergency response. Increasingly, volunteer translators have been using social media platforms to self-organize and carry out urgent translation tasks that effectively complement official disaster relief efforts. However, the role of crowdsourced translations and the capacity of volunteer translators in reducing the impact of disasters remain underestimated and therefore understudied. Based on semi-structured interviews with five volunteer translators and online observation of their translation practices, this study investigates the role of a volunteer-driven crowdsourced translation effort in facilitating the donation and procurement of medical supplies between Wuhan and the world. By addressing the real challenges of urgent crisis communication in Wuhan in the early stages of the pandemic, this study draws attention to the need to integrate information and communication technologies with multilingual resources for disaster relief. In addition, it calls for the inclusion of multilingual logistics in national emergency preparation, response and recovery plans.

scholarly journals Improving Equine Welfare through Human Habit Formation

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 2156
Author(s):  
Jo White ◽  
Ruth Sims
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Habit Formation ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Proof Of Concept ◽  
Mutual Benefit ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Behavioural Research ◽  
Equine Welfare ◽  
Lasting Change

This paper explores the potential for interventions to develop pro-animal welfare habitual behaviours (PAWHBs) in people to improve the lives of animals. Human behavioural research indicates that opportunities exist to deliver lasting change through developing positive habitual behaviours. The routine nature of many equine care and management practices lends itself to habit formation and maintenance. This proof-of-concept paper aims to evaluate a theory-based intervention of developing and maintaining a PAWHB in people caring for equines. Qualitative research methods were used. A 30 day PAWHB intervention (PAWHBInt) of providing enrichment to an equine by scratching them in a consistent context linked to an existing routine behaviour was undertaken. Participants (n = 9) then engaged in semi-structured interviews that were analysed using thematic analysis, where the participants self-reported the outcomes they observed during the intervention. The study findings suggest that the PAWHBInt had a positive impact on human behaviour and habit formation. The research helps to address the dearth of evidence regarding the application of habit theory to equine welfare interventions and emphasised linking a desired new behaviour to an existing routine behaviour when developing PAWHBs. The research also highlights the role of mutual benefit for human and equine, and emotion in providing feedback and potential reward, supporting the link to the cue-routine-reward principle of habit theory.

scholarly journals The Impact of Mobile Phone Uses in the Developing World

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 20-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sylvain K. Cibangu ◽  
Mark Hepworth ◽  
Donna Champion
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Top Down ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
The Subject ◽  
The Impact

In recent years, the rise of information and communication technologies (ICTs) contrasted with the dire living conditions of the world's poorest has been the subject of debate among industry and academia. However, despite the amount of writings produced on mobile phones, Western bias is surprisingly unbridledly prevailing alongside the fêted dissemination of mobile phones. Expansive literature tends to present the rapid adoption of mobile phones among rural individuals, with little to no indication of how local values and voices are respected or promoted. We undertook semi-structured interviews with 16 rural chiefs to inquire into ways in which mobile phones enabled socio-economic development in the rural Congo. Rather than using quantitative, large-scale, or top-down data, we sought to give voice to chiefs themselves about the role of mobile phones. We found that Western bias dominates the literature and deployment of mobile phones more than usually acknowledged. We suggested some paths forward, while bringing the African communal Utu or Ubuntu culture to the center stage.

The Changing Role of the Teacher in ICT-Supported Foreign Language Instruction

2020 ◽  
pp. 333-349
Author(s):  
Saša Podgoršek
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
School Environment ◽  
Language Instruction ◽  
Foreign Language Instruction ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
The Impact

This chapter aims to explore the teacher´s role in foreign language instruction (FLI) supported by information and communication technology (ICT). The recent research on the impact of ICT on the teacher´s role in FLI indicates changes in the role of the teacher. However, there has been little empirical evidence on the nature of this change in foreign language classes. To fill this research gap, a multiple-case study of three teachers and 78 students in three secondary school classes in Slovenia was conducted. This chapter presents an in-depth analysis of sections of semi-structured interviews and class observations exploring the five categories of change of the teacher role identified by Podgoršek. The findings confirm these categories in general, but they also show which sub-categories of change are hard to achieve in real school environment.

‘Physical appearance and well-being in adults with incurable cancer: a thematic analysis’

2020 ◽  
pp. bmjspcare-2020-002632
Author(s):  
Philippa Tollow ◽  
Jane Ogden ◽  
Candida S McCabe ◽  
Diana Harcourt
Keyword(s):  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Emotional Impact ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Incurable Cancer ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Appearance Changes

ObjectivesExisting research has established the importance of appearance concerns for individuals with cancer and identified appearance as an important factor in dying with dignity. No research, however, has explored in depth the role of appearance in the experiences of individuals who have incurable cancer. This research aims to explore patients’ experiences and perspectives in relation to the role of appearance issues in adults with incurable cancer.MethodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 adults with incurable cancer (20 women, 4 men; mean age 54.5, SD 11.32).ResultsThematic analysis generated three themes: ‘Identity: Embodying Cancer’, ‘Communication: Wearing your illness’ and ‘Support: Holistic Care’. Appearance was felt to be an important element of identity, which was often dominated by cancer, leading to feelings of separation from the participant’s previous self. Appearance changes also influenced the way in which individuals communicated with their external world, forcing discussion of their diagnosis, and increasing focus on their cancer, with participants having to manage the emotional impact of this on loved ones, as well as the impact on their legacy. Finally, participants highlighted the positive impact of appearance-related support in their well-being and identified peer connections and refocusing on the self as key elements of such support.ConclusionsAppearance changes play an important role in the experiences of individuals with incurable cancer with regards to both identity and communication and challenged participants’ ability to maintain normalcy. Further psychosocial support relating to appearance concerns was considered necessary to promote dignity and provide truly holistic patient care.

scholarly journals Empowering front office employees with counseling affordances

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 517-544 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tobias Giesbrecht ◽  
Birgit Schenk ◽  
Gerhard Schwabe
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technology ◽  
Communication Technology ◽  
Design Science ◽  
Science Research ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
German City ◽  
Role Of Information

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the face-to-face citizen service encounter in public administrations’ front offices, and present a novel qualification approach to empower service personnel on-the-job, and thereby deepen the knowledge on the role of information and communication technology for advancing governmental reforms. Design/methodology/approach – The presented study follows a design science research methodology, conducted in collaboration with the public administration of a major German city. Data were collected using multiple quantitative and qualitative methods, including questionnaires, semi-structured interviews and video analysis. Findings – A novel on-the-job qualification approach for empowering public employees in their job-related skills, building on the concept of affordances, is developed. Thereto, six design principles for equipping artifacts with counseling affordances are presented. Evaluations in real-world environments provide first evidence that “learning with counseling affordances” constitutes an effective qualification measure to initiate experiential learning on-the-job, helping employees in the resource-restricted work environment of public front offices to obtain the skills to provide superior advisory services. Research limitations/implications – The “learning with counseling affordances” approach was developed in collaboration with an individual major German city and the paper provides first evidence of its effectiveness and suitability. Hence, the study’s insights should be approved by further research to strengthen generalizability. Originality/value – The paper highlights the previously neglected aspects of employee’s skills and qualification for promoting governmental transformation. By highlighting the beneficial relationship between affordances and on-the-job learning, the paper provides novel insights on the role of information and communication technology to promote governmental transformation.

A Discussion on the Skills of the Occupational Therapist Working within a Multidisciplinary Team

1989 ◽  
Vol 52 (12) ◽  
pp. 466-468 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Joice ◽  
Denise Coia
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Multidisciplinary Team ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Occupational Therapist ◽  
Multidisciplinary Teams ◽  
Individual Interest ◽  
Health It ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
The Individual

Occupational therapists who have experience of working in multidisciplinary teams will be aware of the advantages and disadvantages. A frequent area of confusion and sometimes conflict lies in defining the role of the individual disciplines. This article looks at the history and the philosophy of occupational therapy and discusses the skills contributed by the occupational therapist working within a multidisciplinary team in mental health. It divides the skills of the occupational therapist into: practices restricted to occupational therapists; those expected of occupational therapists; those shared with other disciplines; and specialist skills acquired through individual interest and enthusiasm. The authors hope that it will encourage occupational therapists working in multidisciplinary teams to define more clearly, and with greater confidence, their skills in their areas of work.

Personal Injury Litigation and the College of Occupational Therapists' Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct

1998 ◽  
Vol 61 (6) ◽  
pp. 263-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Sterry
Keyword(s):  
Expert Witness ◽  
Code Of Ethics ◽  
Ethical Dilemmas ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Occupational Therapist ◽  
Personal Injury ◽  
Professional Conduct ◽  
Professional Integrity ◽  
Personal Injury Litigation

Increasing numbers of occupational therapists are engaging in writing expert witness reports in personal injury cases. This article airs some of the conflicts and ethical dilemmas that may arise when working in this field, and considers the position of the occupational therapist in relation to the widely accepted legal view of the role of the expert witness and the College of Occupational Therapists' Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct. The article follows the order of the College of Occupational Therapists' Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and a number of potential difficulties are highlighted, although by no means all. Where possible, an attempt is made to offer a solution that would enable the occupational therapist to maintain professional integrity. Above all, the article is intended to stimulate discussion and debate which will be of benefit to people already working in this field and to those entering it In the future.

scholarly journals THE ROLE OF PROFESSIONAL TOURISM ASSOCIATIONS IN LATVIA

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 757
Author(s):  
Daina Vinklere
Keyword(s):  
Positive Impact ◽  
National Level ◽  
Professional Associations ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Board Members ◽  
Future Prospects ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Tourism Management ◽  
The Republic

After regaining independence in 1991, various sectors of the tourism industry in Latvia are united in professional associations. They represent various stakeholders of the industry in all processes important for tourism development and are part of the tourism management system of Latvia. So far, there has been no specific research conducted on the role of professional tourism organisations in Latvia. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to evaluate the achievements and future prospects of the activities performed by the national level professional tourism associations of Latvia. The empirical part of the research is based on the qualitative research methods – document analysis and structured interviews with board members and members of associations, as well as with a senior official at the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Latvia. Research results reveal that the role of those organisations in Latvia is valuable and bring about a positive impact on the tourism industry. Despite the variety of opinions, the majority of interviewees believe that in the course of the next 5 years there will be an increasingly strong influence of associations on the development of tourism in Latvia.  

scholarly journals Beyond place-based: the role of virtual communities via social media in young adult recovery

2021 ◽  
Vol 10.47389/36 (No 2) ◽  
pp. 48-53
Author(s):  
Julie Willems ◽  
Rouve Jan Forbes ◽  
Margaret Simmons
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Virtual Communities ◽  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Specific Information ◽  
Emergent Theme ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Study Participants ◽  
Post Disaster

In post-disaster recovery, optimising psychosocial support is important for all groups of the population, yet young adults have tended to be overlooked as a demographic in their own right. Research was conducted to seek the perspectives of young adults through the narrative of their experiences in the years following the 2009 Gippsland bushfires. One emergent theme in the findings highlighted the importance of information and communication during and after events. Participants in this research sought information and support via social media and virtual communities. These sites traverse localised, place-based solutions, enabling young people to communicate over large geographical areas. The platforms aid dynamic and rapidly evolving support by sharing information, feelings and ideas. This research also highlighted the need to identify the gaps in information processes and support systems for young adults and to ensure youth-specific information is included in formal communications. Possible solutions are outlined taking into consideration the perspectives offered by the study participants.

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