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In accordance with the professionalisation of health professions such as occupational therapy and the call for evidence-based practice the need for reliable and valid assessments has risen. However, often such instruments lack in German. As many assessments have been developed in the US, i.e. in English one may consider translating and cross-culturally validating assessments for German. The overall objective of this contribution is to introduce the PEDI as an assessment that is able to evaluate and measure the status and improvements of children in aspects of activities of daily living. Furthermore the contribution is to illustrate the project of translation and cultural adaptation of the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) to a German-speaking part in Europe and validation of the German version. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Within the context of occupational and physical therapists' professionalisation evidence based practice (EBP) is gaining in importance. This development fundamentally changes therapeutic practice. Objective: This article examined the following questions: Which attitudes do Swiss occupational and physical therapists have towards EBP? Which barriers do they experience when implementing EBP? How can a course influence the attitudes and reduce barriers? Method: 46 occupational and physical therapists, who participated in the course Reflected practice -understanding science were interviewed twice with a questionnaire. Results: The interviewees had a positive attitude before participating in the course. Insufficient resources and competences were identified as main barriers. Follow-up showed that self-estimated research and information competences increased and that the barrier concerning competences and resources had declined. Conclusion: An increased self-confidence concerning database search, interpretation and understanding of scientific results is an important precondition for evidence-based working. Individual therapists as well as employers are responsible for promoting of EBP implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The amount of elderly persons among arrested persons is increasing. This fact poses new challenges for penitentiary institutions since their structure and medical care capacity is not designed for elderly prisoners. The objectives of this literature review were to describe the possibilities and difficulties of elderly persons in prison in their daily life task performance and to provide an overview of potential occupational therapy interventions. Method: A systematic literature search was performed in different therapeutical, medical and psychological databases. Then, literature was critically appraised and findings were summarised in relation to the Biel model. Results: Elderly prisoners have impairments in body-functions that impact their ability to perform tasks in the areas of leisure/play, activities of daily living and work. Furthermore, the physical, social and cultural environment of the prison mainly restricts and only partly supports their ability to perform daily life tasks. Their performance problems are observable in form of posture/mobility, use of tools and social interaction. Literature from different occupational therapy fields implies possible occupational therapy interventions for elderly persons in prison. Conclusion: Occupational therapy interventions could enable, support and sustain daily life performance of elderly persons in prison. However, feasibility and effectiveness of such interventions need to be evaluated. Furthermore, general requirements for and assumptions of costs of occupational therapy in prisons need to be clarified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]