scholarly journals Evaluating a multidimensional strategy to improve the professional self-care of occupational therapists working with people with life limiting illness.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Courtney Apostol ◽  
Kathryn Cranwell ◽  
Danielle Hitch

Abstract Background: The term ‘’life limiting conditions’ refers to premature death following decline from chronic conditions, which is a common circumstance in which occupational therapists work with people at the end of life. The challenges for clinicians of working with these patients have long been recognised, and may have a significant impact on their professional self-care. This study aimed to evaluate a multidimensional workplace strategy to improve the professional self-care of occupational therapists working with people living with a life limiting condition.Methods: A pre and post mixed methods survey approach were utilised, with baseline data collection prior to the implementation of a multidimensional workplace strategy. The strategy included professional resilience education, targeted supervision prompts, changes to departmental culture and the promotion of self-care services across multiple organisational levels. Follow up data collection was undertaken after the strategy had been in place for two years. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively, while qualitative data were subjected to thematic analysis. Results: 103 occupational therapists responded (n=55 pre, n=48 post) across multiple service settings. Complex emotional responses and lived experiences were identified by participants working with patients with life limiting conditions, which were not influenced by the workplace strategy. Working with these patients was acknowledged to challenge the traditional focus of occupational therapy on rehabilitation and recovery. Participants were confident about their ability to access self-care support, and supervision emerged as a key medium. While the strategy increased the proportion of occupational therapists undertaking targeted training, around half identified ongoing unmet need around professional self-care with this patient group. Demographic factors (e.g. practice setting, years of experience) also had a significant impact on the experience and needs of participants. Conclusions: The multidimensional workplace strategy resulted in some improvements in professional self-care for occupational therapists, particularly around their use of supervision and awareness of available support resources. However, it did not impact upon their lived experience of working with people with life limiting conditions, and there remain significant gaps in our knowledge of support strategies for self-care of occupational therapist working with this patient group.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Courtney Apostol ◽  
Kathryn Cranwell ◽  
Danielle Hitch

Abstract Background: The term ‘’life limiting conditions’ refers to premature death following decline from chronic conditions, which is a common circumstance in which occupational therapists work with people at the end of life. The challenges for clinicians of working with these patients have long been recognised, and may have a significant impact on their professional self-care. This study aimed to evaluate a multidimensional workplace strategy to improve the professional self-care of occupational therapists working with people living with a life limiting condition.Methods: A pre and post mixed methods survey approach were utilised, with baseline data collection prior to the implementation of a multidimensional workplace strategy. The strategy included professional resilience education, targeted supervision prompts, changes to departmental culture and the promotion of self-care services across multiple organisational levels. Follow up data collection was undertaken after the strategy had been in place for two years. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively, while qualitative data were subjected to thematic analysis. Results: 103 occupational therapists responded (n=55 pre, n=48 post) across multiple service settings. Complex emotional responses and lived experiences were identified by participants working with patients with life limiting conditions, which were not influenced by the workplace strategy. Working with these patients was acknowledged to challenge the traditional focus of occupational therapy on rehabilitation and recovery. Participants were confident about their ability to access self-care support, and supervision emerged as a key medium. While the strategy increased the proportion of occupational therapists undertaking targeted training, around half identified ongoing unmet need around professional self-care with this patient group. Demographic factors (e.g. practice setting, years of experience) also had a significant impact on the experience and needs of participants. Conclusions: The multidimensional workplace strategy resulted in some improvements in professional self-care for occupational therapists, particularly around their use of supervision and awareness of available support resources. However, it did not impact upon their lived experience of working with people with life limiting conditions, and there remain significant gaps in our knowledge of support strategies for self-care of occupational therapist working with this patient group.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Courtney Apostol ◽  
Kathryn Cranwell ◽  
Danielle Hitch

Abstract Background: The term ‘’life limiting conditions’ refers to premature death following decline from chronic conditions, which is a common circumstance in which occupational therapists work with people at the end of life. The challenges for clinicians of working with these patients have long been recognised, and may have a significant impact on their professional self-care. This study aimed to evaluate a multidimensional workplace strategy to improve the professional self-care of occupational therapists working with people living with a life limiting condition.Methods: A pre and post mixed methods survey approach were utilised, with baseline data collection prior to the implementation of a multidimensional workplace strategy. The strategy included professional resilience education, targeted supervision prompts, changes to departmental culture and the promotion of self-care services across multiple organisational levels. Follow up data collection was undertaken after the strategy had been in place for two years. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively, while qualitative data were subjected to thematic analysis. Results: 103 occupational therapists responded (n=55 pre, n=48 post) across multiple service settings. Complex emotional responses and lived experiences were identified by participants working with patients with life limiting conditions, which were not influenced by the workplace strategy. Working with these patients was acknowledged to challenge the traditional focus of occupational therapy on rehabilitation and recovery. Participants were confident about their ability to access self-care support, and supervision emerged as a key medium. While the strategy increased the proportion of occupational therapists undertaking targeted training, around half identified ongoing unmet need around professional self-care with this patient group. Demographic factors (e.g. practice setting, years of experience) also had a significant impact on the experience and needs of participants. Conclusions: The multidimensional workplace strategy resulted in some improvements in professional self-care for occupational therapists, particularly around their use of supervision and awareness of available support resources. However, it did not impact upon their lived experience of working with people with life limiting conditions, and there remain significant gaps in our knowledge of support strategies for self-care of occupational therapist working with this patient group.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Courtney Apostol ◽  
Kathryn Cranwell ◽  
Danielle Hitch

Abstract Background: The term ‘’life limiting conditions’ refers to premature death following decline from chronic conditions, which is a common circumstance in which occupational therapists work with people at the end of life. The challenges for clinicians of working with these patients have long been recognised, and may have a significant impact on their professional self-care. This study aimed to evaluate a multidimensional workplace strategy to improve the professional self-care of occupational therapists working with people living with a life limiting condition.Methods: A pre and post mixed methods survey approach were utilised, with baseline data collection prior to the implementation of a multidimensional workplace strategy. The strategy included professional resilience education, targeted supervision prompts, changes to departmental culture and the promotion of self-care services across multiple organisational levels. Follow up data collection was undertaken after the strategy had been in place for two years. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively, while qualitative data were subjected to thematic analysis. Results: 103 occupational therapists responded (n=55 pre, n=48 post) across multiple service settings. Complex emotional responses and lived experiences were identified by participants working with patients with life limiting conditions, which were not influenced by the workplace strategy. Working with these patients was acknowledged to challenge the traditional focus of occupational therapy on rehabilitation and recovery. Participants were confident about their ability to access self-care support, and supervision emerged as a key medium. While the strategy increased the proportion of occupational therapists undertaking targeted training, around half identified ongoing unmet need around professional self-care with this patient group. Demographic factors (e.g. practice setting, years of experience) also had a significant impact on the experience and needs of participants. Conclusions: The multidimensional workplace strategy resulted in some improvements in professional self-care for occupational therapists, particularly around their use of supervision and awareness of available support resources. However, it did not impact upon their lived experience of working with people with life limiting conditions, and there remain significant gaps in our knowledge of support strategies for self-care of occupational therapist working with this patient group.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Courtney Apostol ◽  
Kathryn Cranwell ◽  
Danielle Hitch

Abstract Background: The term ‘’life limiting conditions’ refers to premature death following decline from chronic conditions, which is a common circumstance in which occupational therapists work with people at the end of life. The challenges for clinicians of working with these patients have long been recognised, and may have a significant impact on their professional self-care. This study aimed to evaluate a multidimensional workplace strategy to improve the professional self-care of occupational therapists working with people living with a life limiting condition. Methods: A pre and post mixed methods survey approach were utilised, with baseline data collection prior to the implementation of a multidimensional workplace strategy. The strategy included professional resilience education, targeted supervision prompts, changes to departmental culture and the promotion of self-care services across multiple organisational levels. Follow up data collection was undertaken after the strategy had been in place for two years. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively, while qualitative data were subjected to thematic analysis. Results: 103 occupational therapists responded (n=55 pre, n=48 post) across multiple service settings. Complex emotional responses and lived experiences were identified by participants working with patients with life limiting conditions, which were not influenced by the workplace strategy. Working with these patients was acknowledged to challenge the traditional focus of occupational therapy on rehabilitation and recovery. Participants were confident about their ability to access self-care support, and supervision emerged as a key medium. While the strategy increased the proportion of occupational therapists undertaking targeted training, around half identified ongoing unmet need around professional self-care with this patient group. Demographic factors (e.g. practice setting, years of experience) also had a significant impact on the experience and needs of participants. Conclusions: The multidimensional workplace strategy resulted in some improvements in professional self-care for occupational therapists, particularly around their use of supervision and awareness of available support resources. However, it did not impact upon their lived experience of working with people with life limiting conditions, and there remain significant gaps in our knowledge of support strategies for self-care of occupational therapist working with this patient group.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Courtney Apostol ◽  
Kathryn Cranwell ◽  
Danielle Hitch

Abstract Background: The term ‘’life limiting conditions’ refers to premature death following decline from chronic conditions, which is a common circumstance in which occupational therapists work with people at the end of life. The challenges for clinicians of working with these patients have long been recognised, and may have a significant impact on their professional self-care. This study aimed to evaluate a multidimensional workplace strategy to improve the professional self-care of occupational therapists working with people living with a life limiting condition. Methods: A pre and post mixed methods survey approach were utilised, with baseline data collection prior to the implementation of a multidimensional workplace strategy. The strategy included professional resilience education, targeted supervision prompts, changes to departmental culture and the promotion of self-care services across multiple organisational levels. Follow up data collection was undertaken after the strategy had been in place for two years. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively, while qualitative data were subjected to thematic analysis. Results: 103 occupational therapists responded (n=55 pre, n=48 post) across multiple service settings. Complex emotional responses and lived experiences were identified by participants working with patients with life limiting conditions, which were not influenced by the workplace strategy. Working with these patients was acknowledged to challenge the traditional focus of occupational therapy on rehabilitation and recovery. Participants were confident about their ability to access self-care support, and supervision emerged as a key medium. While the strategy increased the proportion of occupational therapists undertaking targeted training, around half identified ongoing unmet need around professional self-care with this patient group. Demographic factors (e.g. practice setting, years of experience) also had a significant impact on the experience and needs of participants. Conclusions: The multidimensional workplace strategy resulted in some improvements in professional self-care for occupational therapists, particularly around their use of supervision and awareness of available support resources. However, it did not impact upon their lived experience of working with people with life limiting conditions, and there remain significant gaps in our knowledge of support strategies for self-care of occupational therapist working with this patient group.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Courtney Apostol ◽  
Kathryn Cranwell ◽  
Danielle Hitch

Abstract Background The term ‘life limiting conditions’ refers to premature death following decline from chronic conditions, which is a common circumstance in which occupational therapists work with people at the end of life. The challenges for clinicians of working with these patients have long been recognised, and may have a significant impact on their professional self-care. This study aimed to evaluate a multidimensional workplace strategy to improve the professional self-care of occupational therapists working with people living with a life limiting condition. Methods A pre and post mixed methods survey approach were utilised, with baseline data collection prior to the implementation of a multidimensional workplace strategy. The strategy included professional resilience education, targeted supervision prompts, changes to departmental culture and the promotion of self-care services across multiple organisational levels. Follow up data collection was undertaken after the strategy had been in place for 2 years. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively, while qualitative data were subjected to thematic analysis. Results One hundred three occupational therapists responded (n = 55 pre, n = 48 post) across multiple service settings. Complex emotional responses and lived experiences were identified by participants working with patients with life limiting conditions, which were not influenced by the workplace strategy. Working with these patients was acknowledged to challenge the traditional focus of occupational therapy on rehabilitation and recovery. Participants were confident about their ability to access self-care support, and supervision emerged as a key medium. While the strategy increased the proportion of occupational therapists undertaking targeted training, around half identified ongoing unmet need around professional self-care with this patient group. Demographic factors (e.g. practice setting, years of experience) also had a significant impact on the experience and needs of participants. Conclusions The multidimensional workplace strategy resulted in some improvements in professional self-care for occupational therapists, particularly around their use of supervision and awareness of available support resources. However, it did not impact upon their lived experience of working with people with life limiting conditions, and there remain significant gaps in our knowledge of support strategies for self-care of occupational therapist working with this patient group.


2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1224.3-1225
Author(s):  
J. Nossent ◽  
D. Preen ◽  
W. Raymond ◽  
H. Keen ◽  
C. Inderjeeth

Background:IgA vasculitis is generally considered to be a self-limiting condition, but this is at odds with the increased mortality observed in adult patients with IgA vasculitis (1).Objectives:With sparse data on prognostic factors in IgAV, we investigated whether pre-existing conditions are risk factors for mortality in adult IgAV patients.Methods:Observational population-based cohort study using state-wide linked longitudinal health data for adults with IgAV (n=267) and matched controls (n=1080) between 1980-2015. Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) and serious infections (SI) were recorded over an extensive lookback period prior to diagnosis. Date and causes of death were extracted from the WA Death Registry. Mortality rate (deaths/1000 person-years) ratios (MRR) and time dependent survival analysis assessed the risk of death. Age and gender specific mortality rate data were obtained from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.Results:During 9.9 (±9.8) years lookback IgAV patients accrued higher CCI scores (2.60 vs1.50 p<0.001) and had higher risk of SI (OR 8.4, p<0.001), not fully explained by CCI scores. During 19 years follow-up, the risk of death in IgAV patients (n=137) was higher than in controls (n=397) (MRR 2.06, CI 1.70-2.50, p<0.01) and the general population (SMRR 5.64, CI 4.25, 7.53, p<0.001). Survival in IgAV was reduced at five (72.7 vs. 89.7 %) and twenty years (45.2% vs. 65.6 %) (both p<0.05). CCI (HR1.88, CI:1.25 - 2.73, p=0.001), renal failure (HR 1.48, CI: 1.04 - 2.22, p=0.03) and prior SI (HR 1.48, CI:1.01 – 2.16, p=0.04) were independent risk factors. Death from infections (5.8 vs 1.8%, p=0.02) was significantly more frequent in IgAV patients.Conclusion:Premorbid accrual of comorbidity is increased and predicts premature death in IgAV patients. However, comorbidity does not fully explain the increased risk of serious infections prior to diagnosis or the increased mortality due to infections in IgAV.References:[1]Villatoro-Villar M, Crowson CS, Warrington KJ, Makol A, Ytterberg SR, Koster MJ. Clinical Characteristics of Biopsy-Proven IgA Vasculitis in Children and Adults: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Mayo Clin Proc. 2019;94(9):1769-80.Acknowledgements:The authors would like to acknowledge the support of the Arthritis Foundation of WA and acknowledge the Western Australian Data Linkage Branch, the Western Australian Department of Health, and the data custodians of, the Hospital and Morbidity Data Collection, the Emergency Department Data Collection the WA Cancer Register and the WA Death Register for their assistance with the study.Disclosure of Interests:None declared


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Katie Nesbitt ◽  
Huiyun Du ◽  
Paul Nolan ◽  
Susie Cartledge ◽  
Parichat Wonggom ◽  
...  

Background/Aims Research has shown that health literacy can influence an individual's ability to practise self-care, particularly for patients with heart failure. This study aimed to assess health literacy and its relationship with heart failure knowledge and self-care practices in this patient group. Methods An observational sub-study was conducted with the data from a large randomised control trial that evaluated the relationship between patients' health literacy, general literacy, knowledge of heart failure and self-care. Results A total of 36 participants were recruited, of which 33 (89.9%) had adequate levels of health literacy. Health literacy was positively associated with heart failure knowledge. However, 67.7% of participants with adequate health literacy were found to have inadequate levels of self-care management. Conclusions Health literacy may facilitate better heart failure knowledge, but it does not necessarily lead to improved self-care management in patients with heart failure. This suggest that clinicians need to put more emphasis on translating knowledge into behavioural changes for self-care in this patient group.


2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 243-251
Author(s):  
Hanieh Gholamnejad ◽  
Ali Darvishpoor Kakhki ◽  
Fazlollah Ahmadi ◽  
Camelia Rohani

Purpose Hypertension is the most common chronic disease throughout the world. Self-care is the key criteria in determining the final course of the disease. However, the majority of elderly people do not observe self-care behaviors. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the experiences of elderly people with hypertension in order to understand the barriers of their self-care behaviors. Design/methodology/approach This is a qualitative study with a conventional content analysis approach conducted in Tehran, Iran in 2017. Data collection was done among 23 participants – 14 elderly people; 6 cardiologists, geriatric physicians and nurses working in the cardiovascular ward; and 3 caregivers – who were selected by purposeful sampling. Using semi-structured, face-to-face interviews, data collection was continued until data saturation. Findings Three main categories, including attitude limitations, inefficient supportive network and desperation, all showed barriers to self-care by the experiences of elderly people with hypertension. Originality/value Lack of knowledge of the disease and its treatment process is one of the main barriers to self-care in elderly people with hypertension. Deficient supportive resources along with economic and family problems exacerbate the failure to do self-care behaviors.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document