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Introduction: In response to growing demands on health and social care services there is an emphasis on communities addressing the needs of local populations to improve lives and reduce inequalities. Occupational therapists are responding to these demands by expanding their scope of practice into innovative settings, such as working with refugees, the homeless and residents of nursing homes, and within sport and leisure environments. The benefits of sport are widely acknowledged, and this paper argues that occupational therapists could play a pivotal role in enabling people to participate. Method: This qualitative study drew on a phenomenological approach and used interviews and thematic analysis to explore five occupational therapists' experiences of enabling people to participate in sport. Findings: Findings revealed that participants demonstrated the uniqueness of occupational therapy when enabling people to participate in sport and practised according to their professional philosophy. There were opportunities to reach wider communities and promote the value of occupational therapy by collaborating with organisations, but there were also challenges when working outside of traditional settings. Conclusion: The study emphasises the unique skills occupational therapists can bring to this setting. It highlights opportunities to expand their practice, to forge new partnerships in sports and leisure environments, and to address the national inactivity crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Community development approaches are increasingly used by occupational therapists in response to occupational justice theory, which posits that both individuals and community groups may be denied access to meaningful occupations through societal powers outside their control. Previous research has found that occupational therapists feel insufficiently prepared for a role in community development and tend to use their general skill set, sometimes in combination with generic community development approaches. This study explored whether the reflective framework for community development in occupational therapy is applicable and useful for occupational therapists in the United Kingdom. Methods: A mixed methods approach was used, combining an online questionnaire and focus groups with occupational therapists who already work in community development. Findings were compared with the framework. Findings: The participants recognised most aspects of the Framework in their own practice, but some key aspects such as collaboration with the community at every stage were less prominent. They found the framework applicable to the UK context, particularly for occupational therapists inexperienced in community development practice. Conclusion: This study has highlighted community development practice by occupational therapists in the United Kingdom and concluded that the framework would support them in fulfilling this role more effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: While most children have developed effective handwriting by secondary school age, some have handwriting difficulties that hamper academic progress. Occupational therapists play a role in assessment and planning support, which may include introducing typing as an alternative. However, there is limited understanding regarding how decisions are made about recommending typing. This study explored the support provided to adolescents with handwriting difficulties by occupational therapists, and the contextual factors that influence their decision-making. Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 occupational therapists and analysed using thematic analysis. Findings: Although there was shared practice underpinned by occupational therapy philosophy, there was also divergent practice due to different approaches. Roles and responsibilities, resources, and evidence and experience influenced occupational therapists' practice. Understanding the adolescent's motivation, the effect of handwriting difficulties on well-being and the need for a functional method to record schoolwork, was central to occupational therapists' decision-making to recommend typing. Conclusion: Strategies are needed to address the knowledge-practice gap, including evidence-based guidelines. Closer collaboration between occupational therapists and school staff could increase understanding of roles and highlight the unique occupational therapy contribution. Further research examining whether, when and how to introduce typing as an alternative to handwriting would support best practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Post-stroke fatigue (PSF) is common and debilitating. However, while its effective management is a priority for clinicians and stroke survivors, there remains little evidence to provide guidance or underpin practice. Our aim, therefore, was to gain insights into the experiences of clinicians who routinely manage patients with fatigue. Method: Qualitative interview study. The target was to recruit a purposeful sample of approximately 20 participants with expertise in managing PSF and fatigue arising from other conditions. Maximum variation sampling was used to ensure a balance of participants across different settings. Data were analysed using a framework approach, iteratively developed and refined by including emergent themes. Results: We recruited 20 participants: nine occupational therapists (OTs), five physiotherapists, three nurses and three psychologists, which included three 'fatigue experts' from Europe and Australia. Analysis generated core themes around management and strategies used; these were similar regardless of professional background, clinical or geographical setting or condition treated. OTs felt a particular responsibility for fatigue management, although multidisciplinary teamwork was stressed by all. Conclusion: There are clear similarities in clinicians' experiences of managing PSF and fatigue across different conditions and also across professional groups. Clinicians rely predominantly on their own clinical knowledge for guidance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: While the Model of Human Occupation Screening Tool has undergone psychometric development and testing and is widely used in mental health practice, only a few small-scale studies to date have examined its use in clinical practice. Method: A national survey was conducted with United Kingdom occupational therapists working in mental health settings to evaluate the use of the Model of Human Occupation Screening Tool. The survey included the modified version of the Usefulness, Satisfaction, and Ease of Use (USE) questionnaire and two open-ended questions. The latter were coded through inductive content analysis and all responses were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software. Results: n =105 questionnaires were analysed. The Model of Human Occupation Screening Tool was found to be a useful tool, with most therapists scoring it favourably on the usefulness (74.7%), ease of use (76.1%), ease of learning (81.2%) and satisfaction (80.6%) subscales. It was praised as a valuable outcome measure, guiding interventions and providing a comprehensive overview of assessed individuals. Time consumption, inaccessible terminology and lack of sensitivity to change were indicated as possible downfalls. Conclusion: Therapists valued the Model of Human Occupation Screening Tool as an assessment tool, but more importance should be placed on training to overcome some of the limitations identified here. Also, its suitability to the setting in which it is used should be considered before implementation in practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Evidence-based occupational therapy home programmes for children with unilateral cerebral palsy have demonstrated efficacy; however, uptake into routine practice is varied. The aim of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of the therapist-perceived supports and barriers to using occupational therapy home programmes for children with unilateral cerebral palsy, based on evidence of best practice in the United Kingdom. Method: Fourteen occupational therapists completed semi-structured telephone interviews. Using a qualitative framework analysis approach, support and barrier factors were indexed against the Theoretical Domains Framework, before being categorised more broadly using the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation and Behaviour Model. Findings: Common supports included: (a) strong leadership within the team to facilitate the translation of occupational therapy home programmes and evidence-based interventions into service-specific protocols; (b) knowledge exchange within professional networks and (c) mentorship. Common barriers included: (a) lack of resources; (b) restricted opportunities to review occupational therapy home programmes and (c) difficulties keeping up-to-date with the evidence in this area. Conclusion: To be effective, occupational therapy home programmes need to be based on evidence of best practice; analysis indicated an urgent need to capture outcomes, record parental practice, further integrate 'occupation' within goal-setting, and develop use of conceptual models of practice to both enhance family-centred care and articulate the profession's unique contribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Occupational therapy home programmes for children with cerebral palsy have a robust evidence-base, but their content and usage in United Kingdom practice is unknown. Method: A national online survey questionnaire was conducted with occupational therapists to explore their current occupational therapy home programme practices, and attitudes toward using home programmes with children with cerebral palsy. Recruitment was through members of two sections of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists, a University's Fieldwork-Supervisor's Database and self-selection following promotion on occupational therapy networks, social media and newsletters. Results: Of all survey respondents (n = 123), the majority of respondents (n = 74; 60%) used occupational therapy home programmes. The uptake and use of evidence-based home programme content varied, revealing evidence-practice gaps. Respondents clearly articulated their professional reasoning and acknowledged benefits of using home programmes. However, they reported barriers to implementing them within a family-centred framework, citing time constraints, lack of knowledge, skills and training, and insufficient support. Conclusion: Occupational therapists report challenges to implementing evidence-based interventions and the routine, systematic application of a range of standardised measurement tools pre/post occupational therapy home programmes. Such tools would enhance quality outcomes for children with cerebral palsy and their families. However, occupational therapists indicated the need for greater organisational support, further education and skill development in these areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evidence-based practice and research utilisation are promoted to enable clients to receive the most current care; however, there is limited research evaluating the use of these approaches within the occupational therapy profession. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, practices and barriers to evidence-based practice and research utilisation of a group of paediatric occupational therapists in the United Kingdom. Questionnaires were received from 145 participants (response rate 30%), who completed the Research Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Research Survey (KAP Survey), the Edmonton Research Orientation Survey (EROS) and the Barriers to Research Utilisation Scale (BARRIERS). The results indicated that the respondents held positive attitudes towards research and were willing to access new information and implement research findings to guide clinical practice. However, they were less confident in their research knowledge and practices, and perceived multiple barriers associated with the organisation, accessibility and quality of research. The respondents reported limited engagement in conducting research studies; however, the majority of the sample reported implementing the findings of research in their clinical practice to some extent. Additional research education and support within organisations would be beneficial to ensure that children and families are receiving occupational therapy services that are based on sound research evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]