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Copyright of Interface - Comunicação, Saúde, Educação is the property of Fundacao UNI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

A quiz concerning the treatment of symptomatic joint hypermobility in childhood is presented.

Purpose: This paper aims to understand the clinical practice of physiotherapists and occupational therapists in the Republic of Ireland in the assessment and treatment of spasticity in adults, to inform and improve spasticity management practice. This study also aims to describe therapists' knowledge, confidence and perceived barriers in the management of spasticity. Design/methodology/approach: A cross sectional survey design study was completed, and respondents were recruited through an online survey. Findings: In total, 92 respondents from a wide range of clinical settings revealed there is considerable variation in services available nationally for adults presenting with spasticity. There were significant inconsistencies across all areas of practice. The majority of respondents (94%) did provide intervention to patients with spasticity, yet three quarters did not have access to a specialist spasticity clinic, and the majority (82%) did not feel they were providing sufficient treatment intensity for spasticity. Originality/value: These findings provide a unique insight into the assessment and treatment practices of Irish physiotherapists and occupational therapists. These results demonstrate the need for further upskilling and specialist high-quality spasticity services nationally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Goal setting is a crucial aspect of client-centered practice in occupational therapy (OT) for mental health conditions. However, it remains to be seen how goal-setting has been delivered in mental health, particularly the OT process. The purpose of this scoping review was to explore the nature and extent of goal setting delivered in mental health and informed OT practice. Design/methodology/approach: The authors followed the guidelines of Arksey and O'Malley (2005) and searched three databases using key search terms: "mental disorder," "goal setting," and "occupational therapy" and their synonyms. Findings: After excluding duplicate records, the authors initially screened 883 records and resulted in 20 records in total after the screening process. Most of the identified articles used goal-setting delivered by both a health professional and a client (n = 14), and focused on people with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (n = 13), but three interventions were delivered by occupational therapists. Further research needs on goal-setting in mental health OT, exploring the reliability and validity of different goal-setting strategies and investigating the effectiveness of goal-setting for promoting behavior change and client engagement across various mental health conditions and settings. Research limitations/implications: The scoping review has some limitations, such as not investigating the validity and reliability of goal-setting strategies identified, and excluding conference papers and non-English articles. Originality/value: This scoping review presents a mapping of how goal-setting has been delivered in mental health and informed OT practice. The findings suggest limited research in OT and highlight the need for more studies to address the evidence gap in individualized client-centered OT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Higher levels of participation in school are linked to greater academic performance, better health and well-being and positive long-term outcomes for young people. Evidence shows that for students with emotional and behavioural difficulties (EBD), participation in school-based occupations is often restricted in comparison to their peers. Given the recent advancements towards introducing a new model of school-based occupational therapy in Ireland, this paper aims to discuss how occupational therapy can support students with EBD to increase their participation within the post-primary school context. The opinions in this paper are derived from the authors' experience in the development of this practice in the Republic of Ireland. Design/methodology/approach: The authors reviewed current literature and reflected on current practice to describe the unique role of occupational therapy in supporting students with EBD in the school environment. Findings: Occupational therapists have potential to play a key role in school-based support for students with EBD. The authors describe how occupational therapists can promote whole school understanding of EBD and enable skill development, self-regulation, participation and school belonging, among youths with EBD. There is a significant lack of literature guiding practice in this area. Further research is required to explore professional issues and identify best practice. Originality/value: This paper aims to provoke consideration of how school-based occupational therapists can play a crucial role in supporting students with EBD who are otherwise at risk of occupational injustice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to provide an outline of the process of developing an on-road driving test route and rating form. Comprehensive evaluation of medical fitness to drive should comprise of an off-road and an on-road assessment. Much research attention has focussed on the off-road phase of assessment, while there is less standardisation evident in the completion and measurement of the on-road phase of fitness-to-drive assessment. Design/methodology/approach: A scholarship of practice approach was used to inform the development of an on-road test route and an associated generic on-road assessment tool that was guided by research evidence and best practice recommendations. Findings: A step-by-step guide, outlining seven recommended phases in the development of an on-road route for the assessment of fitness to drive that aligns with best practice recommendations, was developed. A preliminary generic on-road assessment tool (the Maynooth–Trinity Driving Test) that includes higher-order cognition alongside element of strategic, tactical and operational driving ability was developed and piloted alongside the newly developed on-road test route. Originality/value: This paper offers an overview of an approach to developing evidence-based on-road test routes and an associated generic assessment tool that may assist occupational therapists and on-road driving assessors establish a standard practice for testing on-road behaviour as part of a comprehensive approach to evaluate fitness to drive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper analyses the possibilities of using ergotherapy elements in the development of social competencies of pupils with mental disabilities in practical school, as part of vocational-practical and elective subjects. In its conception, ergotherapy offers many innovative approaches, methods and work techniques that can be used in a practical school in the development of pupils 'social competencies and their socialization. The aim of the paper is to verify the possibilities of using ergotherapy elements, their effectiveness and suitability in the development of social competencies of pupils with mental disabilities in practical school. This paper informs about its real contribution to the education of students with mental disabilities and about its use in special educational practice. Several methods have been used in the research. The main research method was the experiment. The research confirmed the hypothesis of a positive contribution of the use ofergotherapy elements in the development of social competencies of pupils with mental disabilities in practical school. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This practice piece aims to review an occupational therapy led pilot programme – social farming as an intervention option in an adult community mental health setting in Ireland. It will also reflect on the practical implications of delivering the natural surroundings based programme through the COVID-19 pandemic and plans for the future development of such programmes in adult mental health services. Design/methodology/approach: The Occupational Circumstances Assessment Interview Rating Scale (OCAIRS) was used to measure occupational participation (Forsyth, 2005). This was administered with participants' pre and post their participation in the 10-week programme. An internal questionnaire was developed to further capture both the participant and farmer experiences of the social farming programme. Findings: Whilst improvements were noted in a number of OCAIRS domains, it was difficult to identify small changes over a short period of time. The main domains of change were habits, roles, interests and personal causation. The success of the social farming placements was also reflected in the internal questionnaire. The pilot programme has resulted in the further development of the social farming programme and securing of funding for placements for five years. Originality/value: It would be beneficial to consider other standardised assessments that assess quality of life and occupation for future placements. It is also beneficial to consider practical implications in delivering a social farming programme, particularly to those with barriers to transport. It is hoped this paper will contribute to the growing knowledge of social farming as a meaningful therapeutic intervention in mental health occupational therapy practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose -- The aim of this paper is to share the details of a multidisciplinary approach, which includes occupational therapy, and to review the factors that should be considered in the evaluation and treatment of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) who are excessively selective in their food choices. Issues in this area are complex and often related to several complementary domains (medical, nutritional, psychosocial, sensorimotor, etc.). However, feeding disorders are frequently assessed and treated from a single discipline and important issues are missed or confounded. Design/methodology/approach -- A team of experienced clinicians in the field of paediatric feeding disorders gathered the knowledge and experience they acquired from working with individuals with ASD as well as with individuals with other neurodevelopmental diagnosis. A review of current literature in paediatric feeding disorders was used to document and explicate the multifactorial nature of feeding disorders in children with ASD and justify the need for a multidisciplinary approach to issues in this area. Findings -- Feeding disorders in children with ASD are linked to multiple sensory, motor, behavioural, nutritional and gastrointestinal comorbidities. A multidisciplinary approach is needed and increasingly recommended. However, multidisciplinary teams, specialised in the care of children with ASD and feeding issues, continue to be difficult to locate and access for families. The authors sought to highlight the signs of feeding problems in children with ASD from different domains and share a model of a multidisciplinary approach that can lead to more successful interventions. Originality/value -- The detailed description of the domains linked to feeding issues and the clinical descriptions provided throughout the paper create a roadmap for other clinicians aiming to set up similar teams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose -- An emerging evidence base, and increased awareness of the effects of trauma on the body, advocates a sensory-based approach to treatment with posttraumatic stress and complex trauma survivors. This paper aims to identify, analyse and summarise the empirical evidence for the sensory-based interventions, which occupational therapists are using in the treatment of adult and adolescent trauma survivors. Design/methodology/approach -- An integrative review of the literature was undertaken. Both empirical and conceptual papers were included. An inductive approach and constant comparative method were used to understand and synthesise the research. Findings -- The literature search yielded 18 papers describing the types of sensory-based interventions used, sensory processing (SP) patterns and the context and evidence for sensory-based occupational therapy practice with trauma survivors. Nine of the studies were empirical and nine were conceptual and review papers. Themes identified included: atypical SP patterns; type of sensory-based intervention used with trauma survivors; and transdisciplinary treatment programmes can reduce the symptoms of trauma. Practical implications -- Sensory-based interventions with adult and adolescent trauma survivors are emerging as promising areas of practice and research in the literature. Although empirical data is limited, the sensory needs of the body in processing trauma experiences is becoming more recognised and are supported by the atypical SP patterns identified in survivors. A sensory-based, transdisciplinary approach to treatment has the potential to be effective in treating the trauma survivor. Originality/value -- With a skill base in sensory integration and occupational analysis, occupational therapists have much to offer the field of trauma studies. This review begins to address the gap in the literature, recommending more rigorous controlled outcome research with larger sample sizes, person-centred studies focussing on the trauma survivor's perspective and continuing professional development and mentorship for occupational therapists working with this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose -- The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about disruption in the way health-care professionals carry out their day-to-day practices across communities. The purpose of this research paper is to explore the professional experiences of occupational therapists working in community and rehabilitation mental health settings during a period of the COVID-19 pandemic and to help gain an understanding of how their day-to-day work practices have been affected. Design/methodology/approach -- A qualitative phenomenological research study explored the lived experiences of ten occupational therapists working within Health Service Executive community and rehabilitation mental health services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants included eight community mental health occupational therapists and two rehabilitative mental health occupational therapists. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Findings -- Three themes were identified: holding on to what we do; technology: friend and foe; and COVID as a catalyst to clarify the occupational therapy role. These themes capture the community changes, challenges and frustrations experienced by the occupational therapists while striving to provide quality mental health occupational therapy services during the pandemic. Originality/value -- The findings demonstrate the adaptive nature of the profession, the importance of traditional observation methods of community-based care, the experiences with telehealth approaches and an opportunity to clarify misconceptions of aspects of the profession's role in relation to employment-related issues and occupational therapy group work within such mental health settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose -- This paper aims to investigate the feasibility of conducting research on a two-pronged vocational intervention for people with first episode psychosis. The paper also aims to empirically examine the impact of this two-pronged vocational intervention for people with first episode psychosis by determining what effect, if any, its introduction to an early intervention for psychosis service (EIPS) has on vocational outcomes using a prospective follow-up design. The approach consisted of supported employment (individual placement and support, IPS) for participants without a productive role and a job retention programme for those employed or studying. Design/methodology/approach -- Between 2010 and 2013, a supported employment specialist joined an EIPS where occupational therapy was available to all attenders. The appropriate intervention was determined by the occupational therapist at the service. Participants were interviewed at baseline and one follow-up. Ethical approval was attained. The Individual Placement and Support Fidelity Scale was used to ensure the quality of IPS implementation. Findings -- In total, 39 (20 men, 19 women) consented; 21 (54 per cent) of these participants were unoccupied; 18 (46 per cent) had a productive role; 87 per cent (n = 34) were followed up. The mean length of follow-up was 18 months. At follow-up, 50 per cent (n = 10) of unoccupied participants had attained a productive role, and 17 of the 18 participants had retained their productive role. Overall, participants were found to have spent an average of 62 per cent of the follow-up period in a productive role. Research limitations/implications -- Rates of vocational recovery among people affected by psychosis may be enhanced by a two-pronged approach that allows for the persons individual work circumstances to be taken into account. Originality/value -- This study highlights the impact of a two-progroned vocational intervention for people with first episode psychosis in Ireland. It is the first study of its kind to be published in the Republic of Ireland and the first world-wide to include a job retention element in its design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose -- Hippotherapy is an emerging area of paediatric occupational therapy practice in Ireland. It is a treatment strategy used by specially trained occupational therapy practitioners, physical therapists and speech language pathologists as part of the intervention programme to facilitate functional gains. This paper aims to explore parents' perspectives on children's participation in home-based occupations following hippotherapy treatment. Design/methodology/approach -- Qualitative, semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight participants. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. In accordance with thematic analysis, line-by-line coding was completed to identify codes. Codes were organised into categories, which were grouped to develop themes. Findings -- Three core themes were identified: lack of knowledge regarding hippotherapy as an occupational therapy intervention; children's increased participation in home-based occupations secondary to improved physical, psychological, communication and social skills; and the unique hippotherapy environment as a motivating factor for children to engage in occupational therapy intervention. Originality/value -- Findings from this study support the growing body of evidence that hippotherapy is an effective means of intervention for increasing physical, psychological, social and communication skills. The participants report positive effects following hippotherapy on their children's participation in home-based occupations. It highlights a link between the unique hippotherapy environment and children's increased engagement in occupational therapy. Given that no published hippotherapy-specific literature related to occupational therapy exists in the Irish context, and given that hippotherapy is an emerging area of practice in Ireland, this paper contributes to the knowledge base. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose -- Diagnosis of substance use disorders and addictive behaviours are growing worldwide. It is timely to examine and collate literature on the nature of occupational therapy intervention in this field, to increase understanding of current practice and inform future directions. The purpose of this paper is to source and synthesise literature on occupational therapy interventions used in the treatment of people experiencing addiction. Design/methodology/approach -- Four databases were searched in August 2019. A total of 597 titles were screened, and 18 studies with varying methods met inclusion criteria. A narrative synthesis of the included literature was arranged into themes to summarise key findings. Findings -- Findings were grouped into three themes about occupational therapy provision to people experiencing addiction: single occupation focused intervention; skills training (including sub-themes on daily living skills and vocational skills); and establishing a community-based sober routine. Research limitations/implications -- Further research on this topic should focus on efficacy of treatments and build on current findings to develop more rigorous research with appropriate sample sizes to support evidence-based practice. Originality/value -- This study presents a synthesis of how occupational therapy interventions have been used to treat people experiencing addiction issues. Findings indicate occupational therapy appears to fit well within addiction treatment and assert that occupational therapy is most supportive when interventions go beyond the teaching of skills alone to prioritise occupational engagement and client centred practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose -- This paper aims to outline and evaluate a pilot partnership programme -- an Occupational Therapy--led gymnastics group intervention for children aged eight to twelve with a diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Design/methodology/approach -- The overall aim of this programme was to increase participation in a valued leisure occupation. Based on the needs of the children, a physical-activity-based intervention was chosen that was challenging, novel and motivating. The intervention was then developed to target executive functioning and processing skills; enhance motor coordination skills; develop social skills; and primarily provide a positive experience. Seventeen children attended 75-minute sessions weekly for eight weeks. The programme was evaluated using non-standardised qualitative measures -- parent, child and coach evaluation questionnaires were developed by the occupational therapist for this purpose. Findings -- Children engaged well in the programme with results showing increased participation and enjoyment of a new leisure occupation; improvement in social interaction levels and a sense of belonging; and development of motor and process skills. The results demonstrate the benefit of a partnership approach and suggest sustainability of the programme as well as the gains made. Originality/value -- The results of this evaluation suggest that the programme met its aims and supports further research into the efficacy of this type of partnership approach and intervention in supporting children with ADHD attending Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose -- In Ireland, the Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act 2015 provides a statutory framework to adults who are experiencing difficulties with decision-making. This legislation has significant implications for all who work in health and social care. Increasing age and life expectancy, alongside the rising incidence of chronic health conditions and dementia-related diseases, indicates that more individuals are likely to experience challenges regarding decision-making capacity. Therefore, the need for more consistent, best-practice processes to assess decision-making capacity is likely to increase. To ensure occupational therapists are responsible in their contributions, and to ensure those with disabilities are supported, clinicians must be well-informed of the principles underscoring the Act. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of this multidisciplinary issue, including recent legislation, and consider how occupational therapy can contribute. Design/methodology/approach -- The authors reviewed current literature and considered occupational therapy's role in decision-making capacity assessment. Findings -- Occupational therapists have potential to play a key role in multi-disciplinary assessments of decision-making capacity for clients. Further research is required to explore professional issues, identify clinical best practices and determine training and resource needs. Originality/value -- This paper seeks to provoke consideration of how occupational therapists can contribute to capacity assessment from a client-centred, occupation-based perspective that is mindful of ethical and legislative considerations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Persons with disabilities are vulnerable to rights violations when accessing health care, including allied health care. However, the commitment of allied health professional education to disability rights has not been researched. This study is the first to investigate the extent to which disability rights principles are integrated into allied health competencies and education. Specifically, this paper explores the extent to which disability rights principles are integrated into the competencies and education of the six allied health professions taught by the University of Sydney's Faculty of Health Sciences. The study brings to light facilitators and barriers to professional curriculum renewal, and recommendations for future health professional education. This case study reveals that three allied health professions-exercise physiology, physiotherapy, and radiography' incorporate a rights-based approach to a lesser degree than the other three-speech pathology, occupational therapy, and rehabilitation counseling. We refer to this as an "allied health continuum." The paper concludes that there is considerable scope for the allied health professions to strengthen human rights-based education and care provision through ethical codes of conduct, competencies, curriculum renewal, accreditation, and registration requirements, with the aim of reducing rights violations experienced by persons with disabilities when accessing allied health care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Interface - Comunicação, Saúde, Educação is the property of Fundacao UNI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to investigate psychometric properties of the Self-Efficacy for Therapeutic Use of Self (SETUS) scales, a questionnaire based on the Intentional Relationship model, and to investigate the factor structure and internal consistency of the English version of three-part SETUS questionnaire in occupational therapy students. Design/methodology/approach - The sample of this cross-sectional study included 155 students with age range 18-30 years, of which 95% were women. Principal Components Analysis (PCA) was performed on the questionnaire scales, including the Self-Efficacy for Therapeutic Mode Use (SETMU), Self-Efficacy for Recognizing Interpersonal Characteristics (SERIC) and Self-Efficacy for Managing Interpersonal Events (SEMIE). The internal consistencies were calculated. Pearson correlation analysis was used to evaluate the strength of correlation among the scales. Findings - The PCA confirmed that the items of each of the three proposed scales loaded strongly on one factor (self-efficacy for three factors of therapeutic mode use, recognizing interpersonal characteristics and managing interpersonal events). The Cronbach's alpha for the SETMU, SERIC and SEMIE was 0.85, 0.95 and 0.96, respectively. The three scales significantly inter-correlated strongly (r ranging 0.74-0.83, all p < 0.001). Originality/value - The SETUS questionnaire comprises three valid and reliable scales. It can be used by occupational therapy supervisors as a means to reflect on students' self-efficacy in components of therapeutic use of self. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - This paper aims to investigate if a sensory intervention of moderate pressure touch of children with sensory processing disorder (SPD) affects sleep behaviours and sensory processing behaviours. Design/methodology/approach - A total of 50 children, aged 5-11 years with both SPD and sleep difficulties in Israel, were randomly divided into an experimental and a control group, nonblinded. Participants in the experimental group received three weeks of nightly massage by their parents, with a baseline week on both ends. Parents filled out questionnaires reporting on sensory and sleep behaviours and filled out a nightly sleep log. Parents determined outcome goals using goal attainment scoring. The assessment tools used were the short sensory profile and the child sleep habits questionnaire (Dunn, 1999; Owens etal., 2000). Findings - Significant improvement was found in the total and subgroup scores of sleep participation measures including sleep onset, sleep anxiety, parasomnias, sleep duration, daytime sleepiness, as well as the total sleep score (F (1,48) = 24.71, p < 0.001). Originality/value - Results of this study suggest that consistent application of moderate pressure touch as advised or trained by an occupational therapist may be used in clinical practice to improve sleep participation in children with SPD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - No occupational therapy outcome measures have been designed specifically for recovery-orientated services. This paper aims to identify occupational therapy outcome measures relevant to mental health practice and assess them against recovery principles adopted by Irish Mental Health Services. Design/methodology/approach - A narrative review methodology was used to appraise outcome measures against CHIME recovery principles. Findings - A systematic search across 13 databases identified eight well-established outcome measures commonly used within occupational therapy mental health literature. The included outcome measures were appraised using a recovery alignment tool. Practical implications - All outcome measures connected to some recovery processes. Those using semi-structured interview formats and notably the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) had the strongest alignment to recovery processes. Originality/value - This is the first known review which provides some validation that the included outcome measures support recovery processes, yet the measures rely heavily on therapist's skills for processes to be facilitated. It recommends that ways to better support the process of partnership in occupational therapy mental health outcome measures be explored and further research be undertaken. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: While musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) and physical strength have been extensively studied in health care professionals, little attention has been paid to health care support staff, such as patient care assistants and operation patient assistants, whose jobs are physically demanding. The purpose of this paper was to examine the musculoskeletal symptoms and physical strength of newly recruited health care support staff. Method: Convenience sampling was conducted on 111 newly employed health care support staff in a public hospital. A custom-made pre-placement examination was performed. Data were analysed using descriptive, correlation, and regression analyses. Results: Nearly one-third (32%) of the newly recruited health care support staff had experienced musculoskeletal symptoms in at least one body part during the preceding 12 months. Two-thirds (68%) of subjects were physically inactive, and sixty percent was overweight or obese. Handgrip strength was weaker than the local norm. The subjects' dominant handgrip strength, bilateral lifting, pushing, and pulling force were significantly correlated. Only bilateral lifting was significantly associated with MSD among the newly recruited health care workers. Conclusions: This study reports the baseline prevalence of MSD symptoms in the newly recruited health care support staff. Their sedentary lifestyle and suboptimal physical strength may render them susceptible to occupational injuries and disease. An effective occupational health programme that provides periodic health surveillance should be considered for high-risk health care workers to allow proper interventions in a timely manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose -- The individual placement and support (IPS) model is an evidence-based approach to employment support for people with severe mental illness that functions by co-locating an employment consultant from the local disability employment service within a community mental health team to assist service users to find work. This paper aims to examine the unintended impacts of implementing IPS on occupational therapy practice and offer some suggestions. Design/methodology/approach -- The authors performed a narrative literature review on the IPS model, employment and occupational therapy. Authors then analysed and discussed impact on occupational therapy practice and concluded by making suggestions based on current evidence and practice. Findings -- The authors concluded that implementation of IPS has resulted in some unintended changes of practice in mental health with occupational therapists taking a less active role in enabling employment outcomes than previously. This paper concludes by calling upon occupational therapists to re-establish their role of enabling employment. Originality/value -- This paper offers an original viewpoint on employment and occupational therapy based on current evidence and authors' expertise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose -- Major gaps exist in the documented history of occupational therapy in Ireland. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to filling these gaps by providing an overview of three major transitions in Irish occupational therapy in the century preceding the opening of St. Joseph's College of Occupational Therapy in 1963. Research on occupational therapy's past is valuable not only for recording and commemorating key events and individuals but also for allowing reflection on and questioning of contemporary practice and assumptions. Design/methodology/approach -- This descriptive paper draws on multiple documentary sources to present an overview of the first 100 years of the use of occupation as therapy/occupational therapy in Ireland from 1863 to 1963. Findings -- Three major transitions in occupational therapy in Ireland are presented: from moral treatment and the use of occupation as therapy to medical patronage of occupational therapy, from medical patronage to the early/pre-professional era and finally from the pre-professional era to the era of professionally qualified occupational therapists. To illustrate these transitions, a small number of individuals and their contributions are discussed including Dr Eamon O'Sullivan, Dr Ada English, Donal Kelly, Olga Gale and Ann Beckett. Originality/value -- This paper charts the foundations upon which the currently thriving profession of occupational therapy are built. The Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland recently celebrated their 50th anniversary (AOTI, 2015a), and in 2017, it is 100 years since occupational therapy was formalised in Clifton Springs, New York, USA. Occupational therapy is a relatively young profession, and great opportunities exist to research its history in Ireland to capture the memories and experiences of the pioneers who laid the foundation of the profession as well as to situate the development of the profession in the broader social, cultural and scientific contexts within which it developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the integration of undergraduate teacher education students into interprofessional activities with social work and pre-occupational therapy undergraduates. Like health professionals, school-based professionals work across disciplines daily and come together for critical decision-making on behalf of vulnerable and special needs students. Although evidenced-based pedagogy in interprofessional education (IPE) has become common in graduate and professional health education, less is known about its implementation in undergraduate education and with non-health-related disciplines. This article describes a 2-year interprofessional undergraduate simulation project with social work, teacher education, and pre-occupational studies students working prospectively in a K-12 school setting. Survey data found that students gained confidence in their disciplinary roles as well as in their abilities to communicate and collaborate effectively as a result of participation in the school-based simulation and related activities. The project highlighted the benefits of situating theory-driven undergraduate interprofessional learning in settings beyond healthcare and the need for developing assessment tools inclusive of undergraduates and relevant to a range of workforce environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose -- Academic integrity is the application of honest, ethical and responsible behaviours to all facets of students' scholarly endeavours and is the moral code of academia. The international literature reports the prevalence of academic dishonesty in higher education across many disciplines (including the health sciences), and there is evidence linking academic dishonesty in health professional students with future unprofessional behaviour in the workplace. International students are reported to be a particularly vulnerable group. This paper aims to investigate the factors that may be predictive of academic honesty and performance in domestic and international occupational therapy students. Design/methodology/approach -- In total, 701 participants (603 domestic students; 98 international students) were recruited from five Australian universities, and data were collected via a two-part self-report questionnaire. ANOVA and multi-linear regression analyses with bootstrapping were completed. Findings -- Tendency towards cheating and self-perception tendency towards dishonesty in research, gender, age and hours spent in indirect study were found to be statistically significant predictors of academic integrity and performance. Research limitations/implications -- Limitations of this study were the use of convenience sampling and self-report scales which can be prone to social desirability bias. Further studies are recommended to explore other potential predictors of academic honesty and performance in occupational therapy students. Originality/value -- A range of predictors of academic honesty and success were found that will assist educators to target vulnerable domestic and international occupational therapy students as well as address deficiencies in academic integrity through proactive strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessment of practical clinical skills is essential in the health fields. Objective Structured Clinical Exams (OSCEs), where examiners assess students performing clinical procedures on simulated patients (actors), are central to the evaluation of practical skills. However, traditional OSCEs require considerable time-investment to administer, and providing timely, individualised student feedback is difficult. To address these issues, an electronic OSCE (eOSCE) was developed utilising the iPad and specialised software. The eOSCE was trialled in four courses within two entry-level rehabilitative pre-professional programs at two universities, physiotherapy and occupational therapy. Evaluation consisted of student surveys (n = 206), eight student focus groups (n = 25), examiner surveys (n = 25) and interviews with course coordinators (n = 3). This paper describes the administration of the eOSCE and reports on its evaluation from the academic's perspective. A majority of examiners (68%) preferred the eOSCE over traditional paper-based OSCEs, primarily because of the consistency and promptness of student feedback. The advantages academics cited were equitable student feedback and post-examination administrative time-savings. Disadvantages of the eOSCE were the pre-examination preparation required and challenges for examiners not comfortable using technology. Overall, the key benefits of the eOSCE were the automated, immediate individualised student feedback and a time saving in OSCE administration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we explore the role of subjective well-being within the process of making together a personalized assistive device. Through a process of social product adaptation, assistive artifacts become part of occupational therapy and co-evolve with clients. Personal digital fabrication tools enable small user groups to make and share their one-of-a-kind products with the world. This approach opens up new possibilities for disabled people and their caregivers to actively engage with their own skills and challenges. The paper describes a case study of an inclusive participatory design approach, which leads to qualitative occupational experiences within the field of community-based practice. The aim is to show how the process of collaborative designing, making and using artifacts fosters several elements of subject well-being in itself. The starting point of this open design process is a threefold interaction involving industrial designers, patients and occupational therapists within their local product ecology. Co-experience driven design is an intersubjective process that enables all individual stakeholders to work on a common phenomenon in respect of each subjective experience. Participatory prototyping is applied as a mobilization medium that (a) coordinates and (b) motivates design actions towards collaborative well-being equilibriums. This form of artifact-mediated participatory design embodies simultaneously (1) a communication language between all stakeholders that identifies meaningful goals, (2) an explorative process to attain and challenge these goals, (3) a selection of meaningful and engaging prototyping activities and (4) an appropriateness process with local skills and technology. By implementing this creative process, disabled people and their carers become conscious actors in providing collaborative maintenance of their own physical, mental and social well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose -- The assessment of fitness to drive after stroke is an emerging area of occupational therapy practice in Ireland. Despite this, little is known about occupational therapists' evaluation practices, and there are no internationally agreed clinical guidelines to inform best practice. The purpose of this paper is to investigate occupational therapy evaluation practices for fitness to drive after stroke in Ireland. Design/methodology/approach -- This is a cross-sectional study design targeting occupational therapists working with people after stroke using an online survey. Summary and descriptive statistics were used to analyse the returned surveys Findings -- In total, 47 occupational therapists participated. Off-road driving assessment was completed by 68 per cent of respondents. Functional assessment and non-driving-specific assessments were most widely used and perceived to be the most useful in informing the off-road assessment. A total of 89 per cent referred clients for on-road assessments; however, some referred without first completing an off-road assessment. The therapists who completed formal post graduate education/training in driving assessment reported greater confidence and competence in their skills and ability to assess fitness to drive. A vast majority of participants agreed that clinical guidelines regarding best practice in this area would be beneficial. Research limitations/implications -- A majority of occupational therapists are assessing fitness to drive after stroke in Ireland with non-driving-specific assessments and functional observations; however, there are many gaps and wide variations between services. Education/training in evaluating fitness to drive after stroke is recommended. The development of clinical guidelines to inform practice would facilitate a consistent approach nationally. Originality/value -- This is the first study completed in Ireland to investigate occupational therapy evaluation practices for fitness to drive after stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Cinta de Moebio is the property of Universidad de Chile, Facultad de Ciencas Sociales and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The purpose of this paper is to report on the design of an Android tablet application for data collection by occupational therapists. The design emerged from two design workshops held with users experienced in collecting data on the challenges clients face in using technologies in their daily lives. On the basis of information gathered in the workshops, an Android application was developed for use in clinical and research settings. The aim was to ease the data-collection process and improve data quality by digitizing an existing analogue tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose -- The paper aims to investigate if the performance of older adults on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) were associated or predictive of their functional performance in a geriatric evaluation and management (GEM) inpatient hospital setting. This will inform the occupational therapy assessment and management of older adults admitted to sub-acute GEM settings. Design/methodology/approach -- In all, 20 participants (11 men, 9 women, mean age 82 years, SD = 6.93) were recruited from a GEM ward in an Australian hospital. Participants' cognitive abilities were assessed using the MMSE and MoCA, and their functional performance were assessed using the Functional Independence Measure (FIM). Spearman's rho correlations and linear regression analyses were completed. Bootstrapping was applied to the regression analyses to accommodate the small study sample size. Findings -- No statistically significant correlations were obtained between the total and subscale scores of the MMSE and FIM or between the total and subscale scores of the MoCA and FIM. In other words, the cognitive and functional abilities of older adults admitted to a GEM setting were not significantly associated in this study. Originality/value -- The findings suggest that the MoCA and the MMSE were not predictive of participants' functional performance as measure by the FIM in a sub-acute GEM setting. Occupational therapists should be cautious when interpreting participants' MMSE, MoCA and FIM results and not depend solely on these results in the goal setting and intervention planning processes for clients on GEM wards. Further studies are recommended to confirm these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Interface - Comunicação, Saúde, Educação is the property of Fundacao UNI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper aims at giving a brief overview on occupational therapy, a less known branch belonging to health science, which focuses on improving the cognitive, physical and motor skills within the individual. For its obvious benefits, one would like to propose to apply this treatment to criminally convicted individuals in order to better achieve their social reintegration. In this regard, occupational therapy can increase the offender's self esteem, so that, finally, his social reintegration could become successful. Therefore, current trends in occupational therapy are outlined and a short historical evolution of this branch of health science is also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Interface - Comunicação, Saúde, Educação is the property of Fundacao UNI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of telehealth in service delivery is both beneficial and challenging. This paper describes the results of a three semester-long interprofessional education program in teambased care using telehealth technology. The study assessed telehealth knowledge acquisition and attitudes toward practice in a structured environment with a simulated patient and with true-to-life patients in an outpatient clinic. It involved 139 occupational therapy, physical therapy, and nurse practitioner students from a Midwestern university. It explored their attitudes toward the telehealth process and its influence on the therapeutic relationship with the patient and the telehealth team using a longitudinal pre-/post-test design. Knowledge about telehealth was tested with 16 multiple-choice questions. Attitudes toward telehealth were assessed with 26 items of the Telemedicine Acceptance Questionnaire and perceptions of telehealth through guided reflection. Quantitative data were analyzed using factor analysis, and qualitative data were analyzed for common themes. Results of analysis revealed that, although students remained positive about telehealth, they found it to be less useful and less easy to use in both simulated and clinical settings. Findings suggest that educators designing a curriculum that incorporates telehealth should include information on the perceived interpersonal barriers it might create and ways to address them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Youth with disabilities encounter many challenges during their transition to adulthood including finding employment. Jobs are often inaccessible, and youth often face a lack of support, discriminatory attitudes, and sometimes low self-confidence. Therefore, it is critical to help youth enhance their self-determination skills to advocate for their needs in the workplace. Objective: The aim of this paper is to describe how an online toolkit aimed to improve self-determination in advocating for needs, including disability disclosure and accommodation requests to employers, was co-created with youth with disabilities. Methods: We will use a mixed method design in which qualitative data (ie, focus groups and mentored discussion forum) are collected to understand the contextual factors during the intervention that could affect outcomes or explain results through the pre-post questionnaires. Fifty youths with disabilities aged 15 to 24 years will be recruited. Results: Data collection is in progress. Planned analyses include focus groups and pre-post surveys to determine the impact of the intervention on self-determination. A qualitative content analysis of the focus groups and all open-ended survey questions will be conducted to understand the impact of the toolkit. Conclusions: Our online toolkit includes evidence-informed content that was co-created with youth who have a disability. It has potential for educational and vocational programming for youth with disabilities. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): PRR1-10.2196/20463 JMIR Res Protoc 2021;10(1):e20463 doi:10.2196/20463 We help JMIR researchers to raise funds to pursue their research and development aimed at tackling important health and technology challenges. If you would like to show your support for this author, please donate using the button below. The funds raised will directly benefit the corresponding author of this article (minus 8% admin fees). Your donations will help this author to continue publishing open access papers in JMIR journals. Donations of over $100 may also be acknowledged in future publications. Suggested contribution levels: $20/$50/$100 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Saúde e Sociedade is the property of Universidade de Sao Paulo, Faculdade de Saude Publica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Ciencias de la Salud is the property of Colegio Mayor de Nuestra Senora del Rosario and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Saúde e Sociedade is the property of Universidade de Sao Paulo, Faculdade de Saude Publica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Interface - Comunicação, Saúde, Educação is the property of Fundacao UNI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: The home environment falls-risk assessment process (HEFAP) is a widely used falls prevention intervention strategy which involves a clinician using paper-based measurement guidance to ensure that appropriate information and measurements are taken and recorded accurately. Despite the current use of paper-based guidance, over 30% of all assistive devices installed within the home are abandoned by patients. This is in part due to poor fit between the device, the patient, and the environment in which it is installed. Currently HEFAP is a clinician-led process, however, older adult patients are increasingly being expected to collect HEFAP measurements themselves as part of the personalisation agenda. Without appropriate patient-centred guidance, levels of device abandonment to are likely to rise to unprecedented levels. This study presents guidetomeasure-3D, a mobile 3D measurement guidance application designed to support patients in carrying out HEFAP self-assessments.Aim: The aim of this study is to present guidetomeasure-3D, a web-enabled 3D mobile application that enables older-adult patients to carry out self-assessment measurement tasks, and to carry out a mixed-methods evaluation of its performance, and associated user perceptions of the application, compared with a 2D paper-based equivalent.Methods: Thirty-four older adult participants took part in a mixed-methods within-subjects repeated measures study set within a living lab. A series of HEFAP self-assessment tasks were carried out according to two treatment conditions: (1) using the 3D guidetomeasure-3D application; (2) using a 2D paper-based guide. SUS questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were completed at the end of the task. A comparative statistical analysis explored performance with regards to measurement accuracy, accuracy consistency, task efficiency, and system usability. Interview transcripts were analysed using inductive and deductive thematic analysis (informed by UTAUT).Results: The guidetomeasure-3D application outperformed the 2D paper-based guidance in terms of accuracy (smaller mean error difference in 11 out of 12 items), accuracy consistency (p < 0.05, for 6 out of 12 items), task efficiency (p = 0.003), system usability (p < 0.00625, for two out of 10 SUS items), and clarity of guidance (p < 0.0125, for three out of four items). Three high-level themes emerged from interviews: Performance Expectancy, Effort Expectancy, and Social Influence. Participants reported that guidetomeasure-3D provided improved visual quality, clarity, and more precise guidance overall. Real-time audio instruction was reported as being particularly useful, as was the use of the object rotation and zoom functions which were associated with improving user confidence particularly when carrying out more challenging tasks.Conclusions: This study reveals that older adults using guidetomeasure-3D achieved improved levels of accuracy and efficiency along with improved satisfaction and increased levels of confidence compared with the 2D paper-based equivalent. These results are significant and promising for overcoming HEFAP equipment abandonment issue. Furthermore they constitute an important step towards overcoming challenges associated with older adult patients, the digitisation of healthcare, and realising the enablement of patient self-care and management via the innovative use of mobile technologies. Numerous opportunities for the generalisability and transferability of the findings of this research are also proposed. Future research will explore the extent to which mobile 3D visualisation technologies may be utilised to optimise the clinical utility of HEFAP when deployed by clinicians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on movement deficits that interfere with smooth execution of movement following Parkinson's disease. Difficulty in initiating, slowness in executing, inhibition of a current movement and preparation for a new movement as well as, switching between sets of movements, and freezing are explained. Effectiveness of occupational therapy has been difficult to establish with methodological flaws in research. However, measurements that quantify movement deficits and the neuroinvestigative evidence based activities and contexts in occupational therapy could restore movement capabilities. Such focussed movement restitution in occupational therapy would, in turn, increase participation in daily life and improve the quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Culturally safe practice is of growing importance in health care. This paper seeks to enhance the delivery of culturally safe practice to Hindu women through exploring the nature of identity and the understanding of 'healthy identity' for women from two culturally different perspectives: Western and Hindu. A review of current literature shows that established concepts of identity in Western and Hindu cultures show distinct differences. However as time passes, it is proposed that cultures will undergo change, thus creating different meanings and understandings of a healthy identity for individuals within different cultural contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A clinical algorithm (Algo) in paper form is used in Quebec, Canada, to allow health care workers other than occupational therapists (OTs) to make bathroom adaptation recommendations for older adults. An integrated knowledge transfer process around Algo suggested an electronic version of this decision support system (electronic decision support system [e-DSS]) to be used by older adults and their caregivers in search of information and solutions for their autonomy and safety in the bathroom.Objective: This study aims to (1) create an e-DSS for the self-selection of bathroom-assistive technology by community-dwelling older adults and their caregivers and (2) assess usability with lay users and experts to improve the design accordingly.Methods: On the basis of a user-centered design approach, the process started with content identification for the prototype through 7 semistructured interviews with key informants of various backgrounds (health care providers, assistive technology providers, and community services) and 4 focus groups (2 with older adults and 2 with caregivers). A thematic content transcript analysis was carried out and used during the creation of the prototype. The prototype was refined iteratively using think-aloud and observation methods with a clinical expert (n=1), researchers (n=3), OTs (n=3), older adults (n=3), and caregivers (n=3), who provided information on the usability of the e-DSS.Results: Overall, 4 themes served as the criteria for the prototype of the electronic Algo (Hygiene 2.0 [H2.0]): focus (safety, confidentiality, well-being, and autonomy), engage, facilitate (simplify, clarify, and illustrate), and access. For example, users first pay attention to the images (engage and illustrate) that can be used to depict safe postures (safety), illustrate questions embedded in the decision support tool (clarify and illustrate), and demonstrate the context of the use of assistive technology (safety and clarify).Conclusions: The user-centered design of H2.0 allowed the cocreation of an e-DSS in the form of a website, in line with the needs of community-dwelling older adults and their caregivers seeking bathroom-assistive technology that enables personal hygiene. Each iteration improved usability and brought more insight into the users' realities, tailoring the e-DSS to the implementation context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the experience of the Gracelands Group of Services, this paper looks at the relevance of interventions under-taken by occupational therapists during vocational rehabilitation in relation to the New Zealand Disability Strategy. A key objective of the Strategy refers to the inclusion of disabled people into the everyday fabric of their local communities primarily through paid employment. Therefore a positive outcome in vocational rehabilitation is not achieved until a person has entered or re-entered the paid workforce, to fulfil their potential as contributing members of society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although youth with disabilities have much to gain from employment readiness programs, they are often excluded from or have limited access to vocational programs. One encouraging approach to address gaps in vocational programming is through peer electronic mentoring (e-mentoring), which may facilitate a smoother transition to adulthood by offering support to enhance coping skills. Despite the increase in online communities, little is known about their impact on vocational mentoring for youth with physical disabilities and their parents. Objective: The aim of this paper is to develop, implement, and assess the feasibility of an online peer mentor employment readiness intervention for youth with physical disabilities and their parents to improve their self-determination, career maturity, and social support compared to controls. Methods: A mixed-methods feasibility randomized controlled trial (RCT) design will be conducted to develop and assess the feasibility, acceptability, and initial efficacy of the "Empowering Youth Towards Employment" intervention. Youth (aged 15 to 25) with physical disabilities and their parents will be randomly assigned to a control or experimental group (4-week, interactive intervention, moderated by peer mentors). Results: Data collection is in progress. Planned analyses include pre-post measures to determine the impact of the intervention on self-determination, career maturity, and social support. A qualitative thematic analysis of the discussion forums will complement the surveys to better understand why certain outcomes may have occurred. Conclusions: Our intervention includes evidence-informed content and was co-created by a multi-disciplinary group of researchers and knowledge users. It has the potential for widespread implications as a cost-effective resource to supplement educational and vocational programming for youth with disabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For adults using mental health services it is envisaged that the single largest outcome would be employment status. This paper describes a pilot survey on the employment status of mental health consumers serviced by the Hamilton-Huntly team in the Waikato region of New Zealand and suggests a way forward. The author concludes by recommending that adult mental health service providers should employ occupational therapists as employment specialists within multi-disciplinary treatment teams to achieve better employment outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]