Religious and/or Spiritual Practices: Extending Spiritual Freedom to People with Schizophrenia

2012 ◽  
Vol 79 (2) ◽  
pp. 77-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon Smith ◽  
Melinda J. Suto
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Symbolic Interactionism ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Spiritual Practices ◽  
Common Goal ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Multiple Systems ◽  
Life Enhancement ◽  
Spiritual Freedom

Background. It continues to be a challenge to define and utilize spirituality in client-centred occupational therapy practice. Dialogue about spirituality is especially problematic for occupational therapists working with people with schizophrenia. Purpose. To explore the meaning of religion and/or spirituality for people living with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Methods. Nine community-based individuals with schizophrenia engaged in interviews about the meaning of religion and/or spirituality and demonstrated self-defined spiritual practices. Phenomenology, hermeneutic theory, and a symbolic interactionism framework provided methodological and analytic guidance. Findings. Participants employed religious and/or spiritual practices to cope with schizophrenia symptoms and make meaning of their lives. Individuals used multiple systems of meaning to explain their experiences. Religious and/or spiritual agency, an individual's sense of freedom to choose among the spiritual options, renewed their sense of empowerment. Implications. Therapists can engage in spiritual negotiation with clients by using well-worded empowering questions toward a common goal of life enhancement.

scholarly journals Beyond Brushing Teeth: Pilot Study Reveals Community Based Opportunities to Promote Oral Care for Clients with a Spinal Cord Injury

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Sullivan ◽  
Christy Morgan
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Oral Care ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Dental Offices

OBJECTIVE: This study identified opportunities for occupational therapists serving those with a spinal cord injury needing community based dental care. METHODS: Dental professionals answered survey questions on attitudes toward treating clients with a spinal cord injury, knowledge of transfer skills, occupational therapy as a community resource, and dental clinic physical design. The data collected for this pilot study were analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: The participants revealed hesitation toward treating these clients, some knowledge of occupational therapy as a community referral source, limited knowledge for transfer skills, and questionable clinic designs for meeting accessibility guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this pilot study should spark interest in more similar study’s and expand sample size. Based upon the initial findings, it would seem occupational therapists should search for appropriate dental offices in which to refer clients with a spinal cord injury. In addition, occupational therapists could serve as consultants to local dental clinics ensuring adequate quality of care for a variety of disabilities. Ultimately, the profession is uniquely positioned to educate clients and providers promoting utilization of community oral health care services.

Distribution of Motor Neurone Disease Patients in Occupational Therapy Departments

1986 ◽  
Vol 49 (8) ◽  
pp. 260-262 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana Langford Jones ◽  
R S Ramaiah
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Motor Neurone ◽  
Motor Neurone Disease ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Community Based Services

In a study to ascertain the distribution of motor neurone disease patients in occupational therapy departments, it was found that care takes place in a variety of settings. Although occupational therapists based in the specialist units were seeing a comparatively larger number of patients, care was also provided in the nonspecialist units as well as in the community-based services. It is suggested that this finding illustrates the need for training occupational therapists in the management of motor neurone disease patients.

scholarly journals Community stakeholders’ perspectives on the role of occupational therapy in primary healthcare: Implications for practice

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deshini Naidoo ◽  
Jacqueline Van Wyk ◽  
Robin Joubert
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Primary Healthcare ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Community Healthcare ◽  
Community Stakeholders ◽  
The Disabled

Background: Primary healthcare (PHC) is central to increased access and transformation in South African healthcare. There is limited literature about services required by occupational therapists in PHC. Despite policy being in place, the implementation of services at grassroots level does not always occur adequately.Objectives: This study aimed at gaining an understanding of the challenges of being disabled and the services required by occupational therapists (OTs) in rural communities in order to better inform the occupational therapy (OT) training curriculum. Method: An exploratory, descriptive qualitative design was implemented using purposive sampling to recruit 23 community healthcare workers from the uGu district. Snowball sampling was used to recruit 37 members of the uGu community, which included people with disability (PWD) and caregivers of PWDs. Audio-recorded focus groups and semi-structured interviews were used to collect data, which were thematically analysed. Ethical approval was obtained from the Biomedical and Research Ethics Committee of the University of KwaZulu-Natal (BE248/14).Results: Two main themes emerged namely: firstly, the challenges faced by the disabled community and secondly appropriate opportunities for intervention in PHC. A snapshot of the social and physical inaccessibility challenges experienced by the community was created. Challenges included physical and sexual abuse, discrimination and marginalisation. Community-based rehabilitation and ideas for health promotion and prevention were identified as possible strategies for OT intervention.Conclusion: The understanding of the intervention required by OT in PHC was enhanced through obtaining the views of various stakeholders’ on the role. This study highlighted the gaps in community-based services that OTs should offer in this context.

Community-based participatory research remodelling occupational therapy to foster older adults’ social participation

2019 ◽  
Vol 86 (4) ◽  
pp. 262-276 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pier-Luc Turcotte ◽  
Annie Carrier ◽  
Mélanie Levasseur
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Participatory Research ◽  
Social Participation ◽  
User Involvement ◽  
Community Based Participatory Research ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Community Based Interventions ◽  
Community Based ◽  
And Performance

Background. Occupational therapists who provide community-based services are well positioned to foster older adults’ social participation. However, community occupational therapists rarely address social participation and require support to change their practice. Purpose. This study initiated a remodelling of community occupational therapy services by (a) selecting practices fostering older adults’ social participation and (b) identifying factors that could affect their integration. Method. A community-based participatory research study was conducted in a large Canadian city. Four focus group meetings and seven individual interviews were held with 28 key informants. Findings. A continuum of emerging practices was identified, including personalized, group-based, and community-based interventions. Potential enablers of these practices included clinical support, better communication, and user involvement. Organizational and systemic barriers were related to the institutional culture and performance indicators. Implications. These results point to innovative ways to foster older adults’ social participation and identify potential enablers and barriers affecting their integration.

scholarly journals Factors Associated with the Establishment of New Occupational Therapist Positions in Norwegian Municipalities after the Coordination Reform

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 117863292199490
Author(s):  
Ruca Maass ◽  
Tore Bonsaksen ◽  
Astrid Gramstad ◽  
Unni Sveen ◽  
Linda Stigen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Survey Data ◽  
Policy Making ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Occupational Therapist ◽  
Responsibility To Protect ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Number Of Patients

Community-based occupational therapy is an increasingly important domain of work for occupational therapists. In Norway, this has been emphasized by the Coordination reform (2012), which assigned municipalities increased responsibility to protect and promote the health of their inhabitants. However, even if approximately 400 positions have been established between 2012 and 2017, little is known whether they have contributed to increased and/or more equal coverage across municipalities. To explore this matter, survey data was gathered among members of the Norwegian Occupational Therapy Association during 2017. Data was analyzed statistically (descriptive, comparative and associative) with SPSS 25. Results suggest large regional variations in the establishment of new positions. Moreover, most new positions were established in medium-sized municipalities that already had (an) occupational therapist(s) in the community. Number of prior positions, as well as being in the process of merging with another municipality were the only significant predictors for the establishment of new positions during regression analysis. Findings suggest that no levelling-out of geographical distributions of OT-coverage has occurred, even if new positions might have contributed to level-out workload (number-of-patients-per-therapist). Further, we discuss implications of our findings for policy-making and recruitment of Occupational Therapists for rural positions.

scholarly journals Barriers and enablers to providing community-based occupational therapy to people with functional neurological disorder: An interview study with occupational therapists in the United Kingdom

2021 ◽  
pp. 030802262110206
Author(s):  
Clare Nicholson ◽  
Jill Francis ◽  
Glenn Nielsen ◽  
Fabiana Lorencatto
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Neurological Disorder ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Community Settings ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Barriers And Enablers ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Functional Neurological Disorder

Introduction Occupational therapists have an integral role in the treatment of people with functional neurological disorder, yet there is evidence of variable implementation of occupational therapy in community settings. This study explored the barriers and enablers to delivering community-based occupational therapy to people with functional neurological disorder in the United Kingdom. Methods Community-based neurological occupational therapists ( n = 10) with experience in functional neurological disorder were invited to complete semi-structured qualitative interviews. The interview schedule and analysis were based on the Theoretical Domains Framework, a behavioural science tool for investigating barriers and enablers to clinical practice. Data were analysed using a combined content and framework analysis approach. Findings Important barriers to treatment included limited published information to guide practice, lack of professional role clarity and restricted multidisciplinary team working. Enablers included occupational therapists’ dual training in physical and mental health and focus on activity engagement. Service provision, quality and access varied across geographical locations. Conclusion Occupational therapists are uniquely placed to help people with functional neurological disorder; however, findings suggest that existing community service structures in many regions in the United Kingdom are inadequate and limit the quality of treatment that can be provided. Additional resources are required to support occupational therapy service provision in community settings.

Reflections On… Occupational Therapy and Assertive Community Treatment

2002 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 153-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terry Krupa ◽  
Debbie Radloff-Gabriel ◽  
Elizabeth Whippey ◽  
Bonnie Kirsh
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Assertive Community Treatment ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Treatment ◽  
Psychiatric Disabilities ◽  
Community Based ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Health And Well Being

Occupational therapists can play a valuable role on Assertive Community Treatment Teams (ACT). ACT is a widely disseminated, community based model of service delivery for individuals with severe psychiatric disabilities and high support needs. This paper discusses the generalist and specialist functions of occupational therapists within ACT. It is argued that occupational therapy addresses the occupational health and well being of ACT clients by intervening at three levels: the individual, the program and the community. This occupational focus is consistent with the ACT goal of enhancing community adjustment and quality of life. The paper concludes with a discussion of the opportunities and the constraints that face occupational therapists working within ACT.

Learning in Context: Perceived Benefits of Fieldwork Education within Community Mental Health Settings

1995 ◽  
Vol 58 (6) ◽  
pp. 245-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Lyons
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Community Mental Health ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Learning In Context ◽  
Occupational Therapy Students ◽  
Mental Health Settings ◽  
Community Mental Health Settings ◽  
Community Based Services

The emphasis on community-based services for people with psychiatric disorders requires a concerted response from occupational therapists, if we are to assist people to live meaningful lives in their own communities. This article draws on the fieldwork experiences of 16 Australian and American occupational therapy students, to reflect on fieldwork education and how it may be preparing students to meet the demands of proactive practice in psychiatry. Attention is drawn to the Importance of fieldwork education in community contexts for occupational therapy students, if these future therapists are to be adequately prepared for the demands of community mental health practice.

Implementing Client-Centred Practice: Why is it so Difficult to Do?

2001 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 70-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seanne Wilkins ◽  
Nancy Pollock ◽  
Sarah Rochon ◽  
Mary Law
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Home Care ◽  
Care Facility ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Qualitative Studies ◽  
Everyday Practice ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Different Populations

This paper explores the challenges of implementing client-centred occupational therapy practice. While many occupational therapists believe in the principles of client-centred practice and espouse them, it seems much more difficult to implement these into everyday practice. Findings from three qualitative studies with three different populations (i.e., family-centred care for children and their families, community-based home care, facility-based care for older adults) are used to illustrate the challenges which are divided into three broad categories: challenges at the level of the system, at the level of the therapist and at the level of the client. Suggestions for change at each level are addressed. Organizations, therapists and clients must work together to facilitate these changes and ensure that each occupational therapy client receives respectful, supportive, coordinated, flexible and individualized service.

Occupational Who? Never Heard of Them! An Audit of Patient Awareness of Occupational Therapists

1992 ◽  
Vol 55 (6) ◽  
pp. 229-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elma McAvoy
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Occupational Therapist ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Patient Awareness

To judge patients' awareness of previous and current occupational therapy, 89 patients attending the clinics of two neurologists were interviewed by an occupational therapist. Information given by the patient on prior and continuing contact with domiciliary occupational therapists was then verified by questionnaires to the community-based therapists. Both sets of responses were collated and compared. Patients were also sent questionnaires 3 months after being seen at the clinic, in which they were asked if they remembered seeing the therapist at the clinic. Of 75 patients who had been seen previously by a domiciliary occupational therapist, 24 were unaware of the contact; of 31 patients who had some form of intervention in progress, 14 did not report any of this work; and of 80 patients surveyed after 3 months, 10 did not remember seeing the therapist at the clinic. Possible reasons for this lack of awareness are discussed and suggestions made as to how it might be improved.

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