Search

Background:The contemporary occupational therapy literature suggests that different quality criteria exist for setting goals in occupational therapy: a focus on occupation; a link to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF); and adherence to the SMART recommendations, which advises goals to be specific, measurable, agreed, realistic, and timed.Aim:To identify the extent to which Swiss occupational therapists (OTs) adhere to the criteria cited above.Material:A total of 1 129 goals formulated with the Goal Attainment Scale (GAS) collected in 2008.Results:In slightly more than half the investigated cases at least one goal addressed an aspect of occupation. Nearly two-thirds of the goals related to the ICF component “activity and participation”. Nearly 90% of the goals were specific, measurable, and/or realistic.Conclusions:Goals mirror, to some extent, what is done in everyday practice. Several influences on goal formulations of OTs were identified, including the practice models traditionally used in different specialist fields; the cultural contexts in which OTs were trained; and the legal framework that obliges OTs to formulate their goals in a certain way in order to obtain funding for their services.Significance:Based on these results evidence-based products have been developed (a further education course; written recommendations for practice). [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objective: It is common practice today to process translations and adaptations of assessments through a committee review in order to render them suitable for use in a new context. The aim of this study was to elaborate issues that arise during the harmonization process in a committee review illustrated by the example of adapting the Pediatric Evaluation Disability Inventory (PEDI) for a German-speaking region of Europe to gain semantic, conceptual, and cultural equivalence of the translated version. Methods: The harmonization process was based on the subtle balancing act of (i) staying close to the original assessment, while adapting the translation to the new context, (ii) making decisions and reaching a consensus, (iii) the group dynamics versus planned course of the review committee. Results: The findings illustrate that achieving equivalence between the original and the target translated assessment was not always unproblematic and the risk of remaining misfitting items was found. The findings also highlight further influencing elements and discuss the challenges researchers face when planning to take on the task of translating and adapting an assessment. Conclusions: Some recommendations for conducting a committee review are formulated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]

Presents a preservation awareness orientation developed by the author for the staff of Geisel Library at the University of California-San Diego. Examples of damaged materials; Importance of and need for preservation; Causes of deterioration; Preventive techniques.

Focuses on response and recovery steps following a library disaster. Definition of a library disaster; Implementation of a disaster; Guidelines for establishing salvage priorities; Water disasters and steps to prevent damage to materials; Issues and concerns in the implementation of the recovery operation.

Learn what you can do to help better prepare your library for the inevitable disaster. The steps your institution takes now can make the difference between prompt, effective action or unnecessary collection and equipment loss. Institutional and regional disaster preparedness are achievable goals in which all library staff play an important role. Suggestions are given for getting involved in your library's disaster planning and suggestions for disaster planning resources. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Focuses on disaster preparedness strategy for the libraries at the University of California-San Diego. Phases of preparedness to avoid unnecessary loss of publishing collections and equipment; Recognition of the type of damage that library properties can sustain in periods of disaster.

Background: Activities of daily living (ADL) are crucial for children because they enable them to participate in everyday life. For the evaluation of children s ADL performance, health professionals such as occupational therapists use standardized ADL assessments. To implement assessments into practice it is important that the score generated from an assessment can be viewed as a unidimensional measure. Aim: To investigate the factor structure of the German Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI-G) in a sample of typically developing children and children with an impairment. Material and Methods: An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) with factor rotation was performed to assess the factor structure for the PEDI-G domains (self-care, mobility and social function) of the Functional Skills Scale and the Caregiver Assistance Scale. Results: 262 children (118 (45%) girls and 144 (55%) boys) participated in this study. Their mean age (SD) was 4 years (SD 1.91). Results suggest that the PEDI domains of the Functional Skills Scale and the Caregivers Assistance Scale can be used as unidimensional measures to evaluate child s ability to perform activities of daily living. Conclusion: The results of this study support the use of the PEDI-G for research and practice in Austria, Germany and Switzerland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Occupation-based health promotion is found to be beneficial to older adults' health and their overall well-being. However, recruiting participants for health promotion programs is challenging. Knowledge is needed on facilitators and barriers to older adults' participation in an occupation-based health promotion program. Methods: A qualitative descriptive study consisting of seven individual interviews and an inductive thematic analysis. Results: Identified as facilitators and/or barriers to participation were social aspects, the older adults' health awareness and their expectations of the program. Conclusion: Factors to be considered when recruiting participants are advertising, the content of the program, and the potential participators' health awareness. Providing older adults with the opportunity to share their expertise and experience within the program also promotes participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Deadly Liver Mob (DLM) is a peer-delivered incentivised health promotion program by and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, and was introduced in response to the disproportionate number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians who are impacted by blood borne viruses (BBVs) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The goal of the program is to increase access to BBV and STI education, screening, treatment, and vaccination in recognition and response to the systemic barriers that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples face in accessing health care. This commentary introduces a series of papers that report on various aspects of the evaluation of the Deadly Liver Mob (DLM) program. In this paper, we explain what DLM is and how we constructed an evaluation framework for this complex health promotion intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians are disproportionately impacted by blood-borne viruses (BBVs) and sexually transmissible infections (STIs). Stigma remains one of the key barriers to testing and treatment for BBVs and STIs, particularly among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The Deadly Liver Mob (DLM) is a peer-delivered incentivised health promotion program by and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. The program aims to increase access to BBV and STI education, screening, treatment, and vaccination for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians in recognition of the systemic barriers for First Nations people to primary care, including BBV- and STI-related stigma, and institutional racism. This paper presents routinely collected data across nine sites on the 'cascade of care' progression of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients through the DLM program: hepatitis C education, screening, returning for results, and recruitment of peers. Methods: Routinely collected data were collated from each of the DLM sites, including date of attendance, basic demographic characteristics, eligibility for the program, recruitment of others, and engagement in the cascade of care. Results: Between 2013 and 2020, a total of 1787 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients were educated as part of DLM, of which 74% went on to be screened and 42% (or 57% of those screened) returned to receive their results. The total monetary investment of the cascade of care progression was approximately $56,220. Data highlight the positive impacts of the DLM program for engagement in screening, highlighting the need for culturally sensitive, and safe programs led by and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. However, the data also indicate the points at which clients 'fall off' the cascade, underscoring the need to address any remaining barriers to care. Conclusions: The DLM program shows promise in acting as a 'one stop shop' in addressing the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in relation to BBVs and STIs. Future implementation could focus on addressing any potential barriers to participation in the program, such as co-location of services and transportation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study examined the moderating effect of social and coping motives on distress among young cannabis-using adults. A random sample of 2031 young Swiss adults was interviewed by means of a computer-assisted telephone interview. Cannabis users showed more distress, less positive health behaviour and higher hedonism compared to non-users. Taking motive for use as a moderator variable into consideration, it became evident that only cannabis users with coping motives showed lower mental health, more symptoms of psychopathology, more psychosocial distress and more life events than non-users. Young adults with social motives for use on the other hand did not differ from non-users in terms of distress. These differences between cannabis users with social and those with coping motives remained stable over two years. In both subgroups, participants with regular cannabis use at baseline did not increase distress nor did participants with higher distress at baseline increase the frequency of their cannabis use. Our results suggest that secondary prevention for cannabis users should target especially young adults with coping motives for use. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Historic models of hepatitis C treatment have not been suitably adapted for people who inject drugs (PWIDs). With the availability of highly effective direct acting antivirals (DAAs) and the possibility to eliminate hepatitis C as a public health threat, there is an urgency to improve treatment provision and uptake among PWID. This commentary explores the role of needle and syringe programs (NSPs) in providing hepatitis C treatment to PWID through an exploration of Positively Hep, a peer-referral, incentive-based project in Sydney, Australia. Positively Hep uses peer-networks to engage clients and introduce them to hepatitis C education, screening, and treatment. Within the first 26 months of operation, Positively Hep has provided education about hepatitis C and DAA treatments to 326 individuals, and has tested 145 people, 44% (n = 64) of whom have tested positive. Of these individuals, 21 (33%) have begun treatment, and 18 (28%) have successfully completed treatment. Positively Hep highlights the benefits of having trustworthy, timely, convenient, and client-friendly services to engage PWID and support them throughout hepatitis C treatment. This commentary is intended to prompt discussion about incorporating hepatitis C treatment into NSP service delivery, which could increase treatment uptake among PWID and support progress toward elimination targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Careers Beyond the Bedside (CaBB) aimed to increase diversity in the BSN program and encourage the pursuit of graduate education. The program included recruitment activities, academic and professional support for nursing students, and activities to stimulate interest in graduate school. CaBB targeted disadvantaged and underrepresented ethnic minority (UREM) students. Seminars, the cornerstone of CaBB, provided career information and a structured support group. Modest scholarships provided financial assistance. Twenty-nine of 35 scholarship students graduated by the end of the three-year grant and three were enrolled in graduate programs, demonstrating the effectiveness of CaBB to recruit and graduate UREM and disadvantaged students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Several factors facilitate or hinder efficacy research in occupational therapy. Strategies are needed, therefore, to support the successful implementation of trials.Aim: To assess the feasibility of conducting a randomised controlled trial (RCT). The main feasibility objectives of this study were to assess the process, resources, management, and scientific basis of a trial RCT.Material and methods: A total of 10 occupational therapists, between the ages of 30 and 55 (M43.4; SD 8.3) with seven to 26 years’ (M14.3; SD 6.1) experience, participated in this study. Qualitative data collected included minutes of meetings, reports, and field notes. The data were analysed based on the principles of content analysis, using feasibility objectives as the main categories.Results: Data analysis revealed strengths in relation to retention and inclusion criteria of participants, the study protocol, study organisation, and the competence of researchers. Weaknesses were found related to recruitment, randomisation, data collection, time for training and communication, commitment, and design.Conclusion: The findings indicated that there are several factors which had a considerable impact on the implementation of an RCT in practice. However, it was useful to assess methods and procedures of the trial RCT as a basis to refine research plans. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objective: This study assessed health care utilization of aging prisoners and compared it with that of younger prisoners. Method: Health care utilization comprised visits to general practitioners (GPs), nurses, and mental health professionals (MHPs) for a period of 6 months. Using retrospective study design, data were extracted from medical records of 190 older prisoners (50 years and older) and 190 younger inmates (18-49 years). Age group was a dichotomous predictor variable with type of sentencing and time spent in prison as covariates. Descriptive statistics and generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs) were performed. Results: For each of the three outcome variables, two GLMMs were constructed. The first model only included age group as the predictor variable (3 × Unadjusted models). The second included the two covariates in addition to the predictor variable (3 × Adjusted model). Results from the adjusted model indicate that visits to GPs significantly differed between the two age groups (p = .022). Older prisoners visited GPs 1.43 times more often than younger prisoners over the 6-month period (adjusted risk ratio [RR] = 1.43, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.05, 1.94]). The finding for visits to nurses was not statistically significant (p = .080). However, older prisoners visited nurses 1.36 times more frequently (adjusted RR = 1.36, 95% CI = [0.96, 1.91]). Finally, older prisoners visited MHPs 1.24 times more often than younger prisoners (adjusted RR = 1.24, 95% CI = [.95, 1.61]) and this finding was also not statistically significant (p = .11). Discussion: Study findings underline that older prisoners utilized health care more often than younger prisoners although in most models the finding did not reach statistical significance. The prison system must develop solutions to address the needs of an aging population, particularly those with physical and mental health problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Activities of daily living (ADL) of children are widely assessed with the Pediatric Evaluation Disability Inventory (PEDI). This study examined test–retest and inter-rater reliability of the German PEDI (PEDI-G). During the adaptation of the PEDI nine items were added. In total, 117 parents of 53 children without and 64 children with a diagnosed physical disability from Austria, Germany, and Switzerland participated. Reliability was examined by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), standard error of measurement (SEM) and smallest detectable difference (SDD) for the Functional Skill Scale with and without added items and the Caregiver Assistance Scale. Cohen`s Kappa was used to calculate the reliability of the Modification Scale. All ICC's for test–retest and inter-rater reliability were above 0.75, indicating good to very good reliability. The SDD varied from 0.83–5.58 across PEDI domains and scales. For the Modification Scale, Cohen's weighted kappa varied from 0.25 to 1.00 indicating sufficient reliability for some but not all items. Our findings indicate that the Functional Skill Scale and the Caregiver Assistance Scale of the PEDI-G are reliable scales that can be used to evaluate ADLs of children with and without physical disability. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

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]