HIV/AIDS: A New Service Continuum for Occupational Therapy

1997 ◽  
Vol 60 (5) ◽  
pp. 194-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Molineux
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Traditional Role ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Hiv Aids

The first cases of what is now known as AIDS were reported in the USA in June 1981. The first article on occupational therapy for people with HIV/AIDS was published 6 years later in July 1987. Since that time, much has been written about the work of occupational therapists with people affected by HIV or AIDS. This article presents some of the material published on this area of work, and suggests that occupational therapy has much more to offer this group of people than is described in the literature. A new continuum of service provision is outlined and discussed. This includes practice that falls outside what might be considered the traditional role of occupational therapists. Although this article is specific to HIV/AIDS, many of the issues raised are applicable to other areas of practice.

Understanding the Experience of HIV/AIDS for Women: Implications for Occupational Therapists

2005 ◽  
Vol 72 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Beauregard ◽  
Patty Solomon
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Phenomenological Approach ◽  
Women Living With Hiv ◽  
Women's Lives ◽  
And Coping ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
Hiv Aids

Background. Within the past few years, HIV/AIDS has shifted from being an acute, palliative disease to one that is more chronic and episodic in nature. This shift has major implications for the role of occupational therapy in women's lives. Very few studies, however, have examined the perspective of women living with HIV/AIDS from an occupational therapy perspective. Purpose. This qualitative study was designed to examine the experiences of five women living with HIV/AIDS in Southern Ontario and to begin to explore the implications of these findings for occupational therapy. Method. Through the implementation of five in-depth interviews, a phenomenological approach was used to explore the lived experience of women with HIV/AIDS. Results. Four main themes emerged: fearing disclosure, experiencing challenges (physical and psychological), having supportive networks, and coping positively with being HIV positive (spirituality and opportunity for living and learning). Practice Implications. There are several potential roles for occupational therapy in working with women who are living with HIV/AIDS More studies need to be pursued in this area of rehabilitation.

scholarly journals The developing role of occupational therapists in school-based practice: Experiences from collaborative action research in Pakistan

2020 ◽  
Vol 83 (6) ◽  
pp. 375-386
Author(s):  
Debbie Kramer-Roy ◽  
Denise Hashim ◽  
Nighat Tahir ◽  
Areeba Khan ◽  
Asma Khalid ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Inclusive Education ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Collaborative Action Research ◽  
School Level ◽  
Collaborative Action ◽  
School Based

Introduction Occupational therapists around the world increasingly seek to support the participation of children with disabilities and special educational needs in mainstream education. Contemporary school-based occupational therapy practice is progressing from an individual, impairment focus towards collaborative, universal interventions at the whole class and whole school level. Participation-focused practice and collaboration is particularly important, but uncommon, in low-resource contexts such as Pakistan. Methods This article reports on collaborative action research that developed the role of occupational therapy in inclusive education in Karachi, Pakistan. A research team consisting of occupational therapists and teachers worked with five local primary schools, using the action research cycles of plan–implement–observe–reflect to develop practical strategies, materials and inclusive lesson plans to facilitate the participation of all children in all school-based occupations. Findings Support from school management and interdisciplinary collaboration were crucial for implementing change. In addition, strategies like inclusive lesson planning were found to benefit all children in class. Collaborative action research led to increased professional confidence in the teachers and occupational therapists, and skill development through developing a resource guide, running workshops and presenting at (inter)national conferences. Conclusion Collaborative action research was an effective means to develop the occupational therapy role in inclusive education practices in Pakistan, develop culturally appropriate educational resources, and upskill local therapists and teachers.

Considering Spirituality in Occupational Therapy Practice

1994 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 95-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Egan ◽  
M. Denise Delaat
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Occupational Performance ◽  
Exact Role ◽  
Therapy Guidelines

Despite its prominent place in the Occupational Therapy Guidelines for client-centred practice, the exact role of spirituality in clinical practice has been difficult to delineate. In this paper current concepts of spirituality are outlined and ways in which these concepts have been applied in health care are described. To illustrate these spiritual concepts, the experiences of individuals whom the authors have met in their clinical practice are outlined in a series of vignettes. Finally, a revision of the model of occupational performance which enhances consideration of spirituality in occupational therapy practice is proposed, and some guidelines for occupational therapists wishing to incorporate spiritual concerns in therapy are suggested.

‘Positive Preparation’: Educational Input on HIV/AIDS in British Occupational Therapy Schools

1994 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 76-78
Author(s):  
Sue Rugg
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Small Group ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Postal Survey ◽  
Occupational Therapy Students ◽  
Group Settings ◽  
Hiv Aids

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.

scholarly journals An empirical investigation into the role of values in occupational therapy decision-making

2019 ◽  
Vol 82 (6) ◽  
pp. 357-366 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yvonne Thomas ◽  
David Seedhouse ◽  
Vanessa Peutherer ◽  
Michael Loughlin
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Personal Experience ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Therapy Decision ◽  
Complex Process ◽  
Value Judgements ◽  
Psychological Influences

Introduction The importance of values in occupational therapy is generally agreed; however, there is no consensus about their nature or their influence on practice. It is widely assumed that occupational therapists hold and act on a body of shared values, yet there is a lack of evidence to support this. Method The research tested the hypothesis that occupational therapists’ responses to ethically challenging situations would reveal common values specific to the occupational therapy profession. A total of 156 occupational therapists were asked to decide what should be done in five common-place yet ethically complex situations, presented as scenarios for debate. Results The results show that while most occupational therapists share very general values, they frequently disagree about what to do in practice situations, often justifying their choices with different and sometimes conflicting specific values. In some cases, the same respondents espouse contradictory values in similar situations. Conclusion The extensive literature about decision-making – together with the study’s results – confirm that when occupational therapists make decisions, they draw on multiple factors, consciously and unconsciously. These factors vary between individuals. Value judgements are one part only of a complex process which includes personal experience, intuition, social influences, culture, psychological influences and relationships with both colleagues and clients.

Emergency department presentations of people who are homeless: The role of occupational therapy

2017 ◽  
Vol 80 (9) ◽  
pp. 533-538 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Lloyd ◽  
Joanne Hilder ◽  
Philip Lee Williams
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Homeless People ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Hospital Emergency ◽  
Liaison Officer ◽  
Drug And Alcohol

Introduction This project had two aims: to gain an understanding of the profile and expressed needs of people seen by the Homeless Emergency Department Liaison Officer in the emergency department in comparison to general hospital presentations, and to explore the potential role for occupational therapy to respond to this population. Method The Emergency Department Information Systems database and Homeless Emergency Department Liaison Officer files were examined to gather data on all individuals who presented to the hospital emergency department over a 16-month period. The viability of a discipline-specific role to respond to this population was then considered by senior occupational therapists. Results The results revealed that the majority of homeless people seen were male and in the early middle age group, with more than half arriving at the emergency department by way of ambulance services. The most common reasons for presentation were medical, mental health and drug- and alcohol-related issues. Conclusion It was found that a large percentage of people seen in the emergency department were discharged back to the streets. Senior occupational therapists have the potential to provide brief assessments and interventions that could reduce the ongoing demand on emergency department resources by people who are homeless.

Identifying the contribution of occupational therapy in meeting the needs of women survivors of breast cancer

2018 ◽  
Vol 81 (7) ◽  
pp. 402-412 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon Keesing ◽  
Lorna Rosenwax ◽  
Beverley McNamara
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Women Survivors ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Occupational Engagement ◽  
Barriers And Enablers ◽  
Role Engagement ◽  
Therapy Service

Introduction Little is known about how occupational therapy could assist women survivors of breast cancer and their partners who experience activity and role limitations during survivorship. This study sought to obtain views and consensus among occupational therapists regarding their potential role and the barriers and enablers to this potential service. Method We used a three-round classical Delphi process to determine the views of occupational therapists ( n = 40), and sought consensus (70%) for 49 statements concerning barriers and enablers affecting occupational therapy service provision during survivorship. Thematic analysis was used to determine themes and descriptive statistics to determine consensus level and median for statements. Findings Forty-six statements showed consensus. Themes identified were: (a) women and partners experience unmet needs; (b) gaps exist regarding supportive care; (c) access to comprehensive survivorship support is required; (d) barriers to occupational therapy exist; and (e) occupational therapists offer many supports to improve activity and role engagement for women and partners. Conclusion Occupational therapy is well-positioned to affect improvements in occupational engagement and role participation for women survivors of breast cancer and their partners. However, many barriers are identified. Occupational therapists must advocate the value of occupational therapy during survivorship to facilitate women’s engagement in meaningful activities and roles.

Perspectives from Tomorrow's Therapists

1980 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 117-118
Author(s):  
Linda Edgington
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Treatment Modality ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Scoring Systems ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Projective Technique ◽  
Systems Art

This paper presents a review of the literature on the use of art as a projective technique in occupational therapy. With respect to assessment, it outlines the use of art-oriented diagnostic batteries, the role of occupational therapists in interpretation of art, and the development of objective scoring systems. Art as a treatment modality for non-verbal patients is explored for the purpose of uncovering unconscious material for discussion, and as a media for the expression of anger.

Occupational Therapy and Care Coordination: The Challenges Faced by Occupational Therapists in Community Mental Health Settings

2008 ◽  
Vol 71 (11) ◽  
pp. 496-498 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane Culverhouse ◽  
Paul F Bibby
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Community Mental Health ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Specific Work ◽  
Health Practice ◽  
Mental Health Settings ◽  
Community Mental Health Settings

There is continuing debate concerning the role of occupational therapists within community mental health practice. This opinion piece advocates the need for occupational therapists to undertake more profession-specific work. Its argument draws upon real life case studies as well as the service users' views expressed in the recent College of Occupational Therapists' 10-year strategy for occupational therapy mental health services.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document