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Introduction The Model of Human Occupation Screening Tool (MOHOST) was developed in the UK and measures the occupational participation. Until its translation, there were no standardised instruments in Brazil of a similar nature. Objectives To describe the translation and cross-cultural adaptation process of the MOHOST for Brazil, its face validity and test-retest reliability among occupational therapists. Method A translation agreement was established allowing the assessment to be translated and honed after a back translation. An expert committee was formed of ten occupational therapists to test face validity of the instrument with 50 occupational therapists. Statistical analysis was employed to investigate whether the occupational therapists’ understanding of the MOHOST was linked to their length of clinical experience. The test-retest reliability was examined among a sample of eight adults with physical disabilities. Results The cross-cultural adaptation of the Brazilian MOHOST has been completed. A significant correlation (p=0.04) was found between years of professional experience and greater understanding of the MOHOST items. The MOHOST presented very high reliability in the test-retest (r>0.900). Conclusion A Brazilian translation of the MOHOST has face validation and test-retest reliability. Future studies addressing this instrument’s psychometric properties of validity and inter-rater reliability are recommended. Resumo Introdução O Instrumento de Identificação da Participação Ocupacional do Modelo de Ocupação Humana (MOHOST Brasil) foi desenvolvido no Reino Unido e mensura a participação ocupacional. Até a sua presente tradução, para o Brasil, não haviam instrumentos padronizados e que mensurassem o mesmo constructo. Objetivos Descrever o processo de tradução e adaptação cultural do MOHOST para o Brasil, examinar a sua validade de face e confiabilidade no teste-reteste por terapeutas ocupacionais. Método Inicialmente foi estabelecido um contato para a autorização da tradução e, posteriormente, seguidas as etapas de tradução, retrotradução, comitê de especialistas, validade de face e teste-reteste. O comitê de especialistas foi composto por dez terapeutas ocupacionais. A validade de face contou com a participação de 50 terapeutas ocupacionais. A análise estatística foi empregada para investigar se o entendimento do MOHOST pelos terapeutas ocupacionais estava vinculado à sua duração da experiência clínica. A confiabilidade teste-reteste foi examinada em uma amostra de oito adultos com deficiência física, em um intervalo de uma semana. Resultados A adaptação transcultural do MOHOST (Brasil) foi concluída. Foi encontrada uma correlação significativa (p=0,04) entre anos de experiência profissional e maior entendimento dos itens do MOHOST. O MOHOST apresentou confiabilidade muito alta no teste-reteste (r>0,900). Conclusão A versão brasileira apresenta validação de face e confiabilidade no teste-reteste. Estudos futuros abordando as propriedades psicométricas de validade convergente e confiabilidade entre avaliadores são recomendados.

Occupational formulation is a process of making sense of someone’s circumstances that is informed by occupational theories and concepts. This opinion piece presents occupational formulation as a st...

There has been a call for conceptually valid assessments to measure occupational performance with greater sensitivity. This opinion piece reasons that a broad-based tool is required to relate subtle shifts in occupational participation to changes in the therapeutic environment. It includes case vignettes from learning disability and dementia services to illustrate the progress that can be made in occupational participation. Improvements in participation were matched to indicators of change in existing assessment and intervention manuals, leading to the development of a new assessment. Future research will investigate the assessment's potential to measure progress when a person's occupational performance is severely impaired.

Payment mechanisms in English mental health services require professionals to describe treatments and demonstrate cost-effectiveness. A national occupational therapy study has prepared the way by profiling the occupational needs of service users and describing indicative care packages. This practice analysis reports on a local survey, which was conducted in parallel with the national study. Treatment aims were found to correspond with key elements of the occupational profiles. This supports the accuracy of the profiles. It also provides evidence towards the effectiveness of the service being provided by demonstrating the ability of occupational therapists to target the proven needs of service users.

Introduction: The use of horticulture in mental health settings is widespread. Moreover, its effectiveness is supported by a body of qualitative evidence. Aims: The investigators in this research study sought to determine those aspects of their horticultural projects that conferred the greatest therapeutic benefit to their clients. They used outcome measures to rate the responses of participants, paying particular attention to the participants' expressed motivation. Method: Qualitative and quantitative methods were used to evaluate six horticultural projects. Ten participants were interviewed, using an adapted version of the Work Environment Impact Scale (WEIS) to rate factors that supported their motivation. Fifty participants were assessed, using the Volitional Questionnaire (VQ) to observe and rate the extent of their motivation. Findings: The therapeutic value of horticulture arose from a complex interplay of personal factors, including gender-based preferences, individual interests and social needs. Conclusion: The benefits of engaging in horticultural activity are not automatic. The external environment provides challenges, which can be graded by the facilitators to maximise the therapeutic benefit.

The value of therapists documenting their clinical reasoning and negotiating specific and measurable goals is widely acknowledged. However, the literature suggests that practitioners often encounter barriers when implementing best practice. This article details how occupational therapists in Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust entered an academic partnership, which transformed their communication of clinical and professional reasoning. Having adopted a conceptual model of practice, they established clearly defined processes for assessment, case formulation and goal setting. Service users, carers and team members confirmed that these initiatives enhanced person-centred practice, highlighted occupational issues and made treatment planning more effective for the whole team.

Continuing professional development requires robust support mechanisms to maximise opportunities for the dissemination of best practice and to ensure sustainability. Accordingly, occupational therapists in a county-wide mental health service created a practice development adviser post and embarked on an academic partnership to support the delivery of evidence-based practice. Professional development surveys were then undertaken in 2005 and 2007 to evaluate the changes to the work environment. These demonstrated that the perceived pressures on standards of work (for example, finite resources and generic role demands) were offset by professional supervision, contact with other occupational therapists and having an occupation-focused model of practice.