Search

Background. Challenges with clinical decision-making are common among new graduate occupational therapists. There is limited research exploring their experiences of learning to make intervention decisions. Purpose. To explore new graduates' experiences of learning to make intervention decisions in pediatric private practice. Method. A case study approach, involving a range of data sources, explored the experiences of 11 new graduates and three experienced occupational therapists working in Australian private practices. Data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Findings. Themes pervading new graduates' decision-making experiences were: "being seen as capable and competent," "similar and familiar," and "specialist versus generalist positions." Contextual influences contributed to new graduates utilizing their support networks and personal experiences in addition to workplace supports. Implications. It is vital to balance private practice business demands with opportunities for new graduates to engage with experienced occupational therapists and professional communities of practice to assist their learning to make intervention decisions.

Background. Placements are key contexts for occupational therapy students to connect theoretical knowledge (theory) with practice. Theory relates to the prevailing ideas and concepts used by a profession. It can be derived within and outside the profession (discipline-specific knowledge and related knowledge, respectively). Purpose. This scoping review aimed to identify what is known about the nature of theoretical knowledge used in occupational therapy practice education. Method. A search of 4 electronic databases identified 19 relevant publications, data from which was extracted deductively. Findings. Inconsistent descriptions related to discipline-specific knowledge while related knowledge was often presented as not integrated with, or complementing, discipline-specific knowledge. Some authors referred to educational knowledge and methods informing student's theory use during placements. Implications. Educational methods need to provide a foundational platform, enabling novice learners to structure their thinking about ways discipline-specific and related knowledge can be used within an occupational framework on placement.

Background.: The transition from student to new graduate occupational therapist is recognized as stressful. Current literature has not specifically drawn together the challenges new graduates face when learning to work with clients., Purpose.: This review aimed to synthesize common challenges that new graduate occupational therapists face when working with clients., Methods.: Searches of online scholarly databases located research articles. Content related to working with clients in practice was charted using the Matrix Method., Findings.: From 21 articles, four categories of challenges were identified: "reasoning and decision-making," "using knowledge and skills in practice with clients," "the context of service provision," and "managing caseload and priorities." "Having self-doubt" was a theme that pervaded the data., Implications.: New graduates often do not feel fully prepared for all aspects of occupational therapy practice. As they may not have access to substantial workplace support, exploring personal resources and professional support may assist this challenging transition.

Background: Occupational therapists use a range of types and sources of information when making clinical decisions. It is unclear how this information is integrated., Purpose: This paper describes an exploratory qualitative case study that identified the types and sources of information accessed by one experienced paediatric therapist and how this information was combined and prioritised when making clinical decisions., Methods: . Data were collected using observations of therapy sessions, key informant interviews, and semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed thematically., Findings: To inform clinical decisions, the participant prioritised information about each child in his or her context when making decisions. Other types of information from text books and journals, professional development activities and professional and personal experience, expanded her unique body of knowledge over time., Implications: Re-conceptualisation of how information use supports clinical decision making and expands a therapist's unique body of knowledge over time can support client-centred practice in occupational therapy.

Background: The Chedoke Arm and Hand Activity Inventory (CAHAI) is an outcome measure that assesses upper limb ability after stroke., Purpose: To explore the clinical utility of the CAHAI when used by occupational therapists in stroke rehabilitation., Methods: A qualitative study consisting of two focus groups was conducted with occupational therapists (Group A: n = 8; Group B: n = 5). Data were analysed inductively to identify themes., Findings: A range of perspectives on the clinical utility of the CAHAI were described. Themes that emerged were "instructions ambiguous and scoring unclear," "how we use it," "whole task versus motor components," "knowing when to use it," "detecting other impairments," and "changing the way clients do tasks.", Implications: The clinical application of the CAHAI may be influenced by occupational therapy values, differences in training procedures, and organisational barriers. Training and strategies to address these issues may be beneficial.