This study investigated the extent to which occupational therapists (OT) use the Internet as a clinical resource and as a tool for communication with clients. It also identified barriers and facilitators associated with Internet use. A survey was mailed to all occupational therapists registered with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario. Our findings based on 1382 respondents show that a large percentage of occupational therapists currently use the Internet for clinical purposes. A majority of respondents reported using the Internet to meet their practice needs, primarily for looking up relevant clinical information, and less commonly as a communication tool with their clients. Greater Internet use was associated with younger age and fewer years of practice. Having a computer station, a work culture fostering Internet use, accessible technical support, paid time and credible ratings of websites were five most influential factors on Internet use in OTs’ clinical practice.

This study investigated the extent to which occupational therapists (OT) use the Internet as a clinical resource and as a tool for communication with clients. It also identified barriers and facilitators associated with Internet use. A survey was mailed to all occupational therapists registered with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario. Our findings based on 1382 respondents show that a large percentage of occupational therapists currently use the Internet for clinical purposes. A majority of respondents reported using the Internet to meet their practice needs, primarily for looking up relevant clinical information, and less commonly as a communication tool with their clients. Greater Internet use was associated with younger age and fewer years of practice. Having a computer station, a work culture fostering Internet use, accessible technical support, paid time and credible ratings of websites were five most influential factors on Internet use in OTs’ clinical practice.

This study addressed two questions: (a) how do the various discourses that are at work in everyday practice of occupational therapists inhibit or enhance a collaborative therapist-client therapeutic relationship and (b) what are the ways of strategizing a more client-centred collaborative approach in the midst of the tensions and disjunctures of everyday clinical practice? These questions were addressed by analyzing narratives from the everyday practice of occupational therapy. These narratives were constructed from my own practice in order to provide an insider’s view from the clinician’s perspective, a view that is missing from the extensive literature on client-centred practice in occupational therapy. Guided by an emancipatory interest, the study focused primarily on the tensions between dominant health care discourses that position the therapist as expert and a collaborative, egalitarian therapeutic relationship, which I called “participatory consciousness” after Heshusius (1994). The methodology of critical reflexivity had two parts. The first was the assemblage and interpretations of a collage for the purpose of critically examining my values, beliefs and theoretical predispositions; and the second was the critical reading and rereading of the practice narratives using as analytical tools the concepts of discourse and of occupational therapy clinical reasoning. Discourse refers to ways of thinking, feeling and acting that constitute social and cultural reality. Clinical reasoning refers to how clinicians think in the midst of practice and was the key to identifying how the clinician consciously and/or consciously negotiated or resisted the discourses shaping the clinician-client relationship. The study demonstrated what was entailed in the move to participatory consciousness and offered recommendations to the profession for supporting therapists to move toward a deeper sense of collaboration within client-centred practice.

Please read the abstract in the section, 00front, of this document / Thesis (PhD (Augmentative and Alternative Communication))--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Centre for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (CAAC) / PhD / Unrestricted

Please read the abstract (Summary) in the section 00front of this document / Dissertation (M Occ Ther)--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Occupational Therapy / unrestricted

Magister Scientiae (Occupational Therapy) - MSc(OT) / Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major public health concern which mostly affects the economically viable population. In addition, the Code of Good Practice as described in South African Labour Law serves as a guide for employers to encourage equal and fair opportunities for employees with disabilities. However, despite the presence of this policy, as well as other legislation, research has shown that individuals with TBI are failing to return to work. The Model of Occupational Self-Efficacy (MoOSE) was developed as a client centered approach to return individuals with TBI to work. The aim of the current study was to explore, and describe the experiences and perceptions of occupational therapists who have used the MoOSE in the vocational rehabilitation and return to work process of clients with TBI. The participants in the study were selected by means of purposive sampling and semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted on a monthly basis for three months with 10 occupational therapists. The semi-structured interviews were used to gain insight into and explore the perceptions of the occupational therapists who have used the MoOSE in their vocational rehabilitation programmes with clients who have suffered TBI. The findings of the study were analyzed by means of thematic content analysis. The outcome of this study was aimed at finding ways to enhance / improve the model when it is used in the vocational rehabilitation process with people who have suffered TBI. Informed consent was obtained from the research participants and confidentiality of their information was maintained. Data was collected by means of semi-structured interviews which were audiotaped and transcribed. Transcriptions were analysed by using constant comparative methods of data analysis which resulted in categories, which reflected the purpose of the study being created. The analysis of transcripts was done using Microsoft Word. Results were then divided into themes and discussed holistically. Four themes emerged that answered the research question. Theme one described how client related factors impacted on the implementation of the MoOSE. Theme two explored the therapist related factors that impacted on the implementation of the MoOSE while theme three discussed how characteristic of the model impacted on the vocational rehabilitation and return to work process. The participants appreciated the clear four stages of the MoOSE and the dynamicity of the model. Theme four described how the job market and employer perceptions impacted on the return to work process. Recommendations were then discussed that could further improve the model and the implementation thereof. Recommendations included adding a motivation component to the MoOSE, involving family members in the rehabilitation process and therapist reflection as a means to foster client-centered practice. Other recommendations were aimed at addressing policy issues which interferes with the return to work process and encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration in the vocational rehabilitation of individuals with TBI.

Physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and speech therapists play a key role in the treatment of children with epilepsy. We performed a survey of therapists’ knowledge of and attitudes towards epilepsy in two regions of Germany, the city of Leipzig and the rural district of Zwickau. Therapists of 29/68 (43%) outpatient practices and 4/9 (44%) hospitals took part. In total, 195 therapists participated: 63 (32%) physiotherapists, 74 (38%) occupational therapists, and 58 (30%) speech therapist. In 65%, epilepsy was subject of vocational training. Of all therapists, 8% claimed they had not treated epilepsy patients so far. During professional life, 43% had witnessed a seizure. Of all therapists, 44% correctly assumed a seizure could result in death. During a seizure, 42% would perform the obsolete measure of placing something solid in the patient’s mouth, and 41% would administer a prescribed rescue medication. More information on epilepsy was requested by 92%. Conclusion: Most therapists treat patients with epilepsy, and almost half have already witnessed a seizure. Often, however, epilepsy is not subject of vocational training. The risk of a fatal outcome of a seizure is underestimated, and many therapists would perform obsolete measures. Knowledge of seizure management should be transmitted to therapists especially during vocational training.:Inhaltsverzeichnis Abkürzungsverzeichnis ............................................................................................... 3 1. Einführung in die Thematik..................................................................................... 4 1.1. Hintergrund ................................................................................................... 4 1.1.1. Epilepsie ................................................................................................. 4 1.1.2. Therapie der Epilepsie ............................................................................ 5 1.1.3. Bedeutung von Physiotherapie, Ergotherapie und Logopädie im Rahmen der Epilepsietherapie................................................................ 6 1.2. Therapeuten und Epilepsie als Schwerpunkt bereits vorhandener Studien . 8 1.3. Zielsetzungen der Studie ............................................................................ 10 1.4. Studiendesign ............................................................................................. 11 2. Originalartikel.......................................................................................................12 3. Zusammenfassung der Arbeit..............................................................................20 4. Literatur................................................................................................................25 5. Anlagen................................................................................................................30 I. Darstellung des eigenen Beitrages, Anteile der Co-Autoren................................ 40 II. Eigenständigkeitserklärung..................................................................................41

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a relevant condition to consider regarding Work Capacity Evaluation (WCE) because of its high prevalence, strong impact on short-term work disability, and low rate of treatment. The challenge that faces occupational therapists (OTs) is that there is no specific guideline and process to follow when conducting Work Capacity Evaluation with clients suffering from MDD. The researcher had also noted conflicting opinions with regard to the outcome of Work Capacity Evaluation (WCE) and recommendations in occupational therapy reports. The researcher is of the opinion that indeed occupational therapy assessments need to be clear about what to measure, and selection of appropriate standardised measures and non-standardised assessments is needed. Therefore, the research question was, what are the perceptions and practices of occupational therapists in determining work capacity of employees suffering from major depressive disorder? The aim of this study was to describe the perceptions and practices of occupational therapists in determining work capacity of employees suffering from major depressive disorder. The literature showed that Work Capacity Evaluation assists to determine the employee’s returnto- work. The Code of Good Practice: Dismissal contained in the Labour Relations Act of 1998, stipulates that incapacity on the ground of ill health or injury may be either temporary or permanent. The nature of this study was a mixed method design including both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The phenomenological strategy was used. The study had a sample size of 68 participants, practising as occupational therapists. Purposive sampling was used. The data were collected in four distinct phases, referred to as sequential exploratory strategy with elements of embedded design. Phase one, used descriptive open-ended questions; phase two was a close-ended questionnaire to confirm findings in phase one; phase three consisted of focus group interviews and phase four was member checking to confirm findings in phase three. During data analysis, five themes related to employees suffering from MDD emerged and they were identified as: (1) the content of comprehensive assessment for work capacity evaluation, (2) the process of work capacity evaluation, (3) the competency requirements of the occupational therapist, (4) occupational performance and (5) formulating return-to-work decision. Recommendations related to the five themes were formulated and suggestions for future research proffered. The study clarified and confirmed that occupational therapists have a major role to play in performing work capacity of employees suffering from major depressive disorder, and that they need to be competent in performing these evaluations. Copyright / Dissertation (MOccTher)--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Occupational Therapy / unrestricted

Syfte: Att beskriva hur arbetsterapeuter som arbetar inom hemrehabilitering skattar sin aktivitetsbalans. Metod: I uppsatsen användes en enkätundersökning för att beskriva hur arbetsterapeuter inom hemrehabilitering skattar sin aktivitetsbalans. En tvärsnittsstudie genomfördes med en kvantitativ metod och en deskriptiv inriktning. Enkäten bestod av strukturerade frågor baserade på Occupational Balance Questionnaire (OBQ11) och sociodemografiska bakgrundsfrågor. Urvalet bestod av legitimerade arbetsterapeuter som arbetarinom hemrehabilitering och som hade arbetat minst ett år samt med en anställningsgrad på minst 50%. Resultat: Fyrtiotre arbetsterapeuters självskattade aktivitetsbalans och dess samband med sociodemografiska faktorer undersöktes. Majoriteten av deltagarna var kvinnor mellan 30–39 år som var sammanboende, hade barn och hade arbetat 1-10 år inom yrket. Majoriteten av deltagarna skattade instämmer inte i alla påståenden förutom "Jag har tillräckligt med tid att göra det jag måste göra", där 58,1% av deltagare skattade instämmer. Deltagare med barn, över 40 år, som bodde med en partner, med en anställningsgrad 80–89% och hade mer erfarenhet i yrket tenderade att rapportera högre nivåer av aktivitetsbalans. Slutsats: Arbetsterapeuterna som arbetar inom hemrehabilitering upplever låg tillfredställelse angående sin aktivitetsbalans, vilket kan påverkas av faktorer som kön, ålder, anställningsgrad, boendesituation och familjesituation. Kvinnor som har fler roller i livet kan uppleva det svårt att upprätthålla en balans mellan arbete och privatliv, vilket kan påverka deras arbetsmiljö och välbefinnande negativt. Uppsatsen kan användas för att utveckla strategier för att förbättra aktivitetsbalansen hos arbetsterapeuter inom hemrehabilitering och därmed förbättra deras arbetsmiljö och välbefinnande. / Aim: To describe how occupational therapists working in home rehabilitation perceive their occupational balance. Method: The study used a survey to describe how occupational therapists working in home rehabilitation perceived their occupational balance. A cross-sectional study was conducted with a quantitative approach and a descriptive focus. The survey consisted of structured questions and clear background questions and was designed based on the Occupational Balance Questionnaire (OBQ11). The sample consisted of licensed occupational therapists in home rehabilitation who had worked for at least one year and had an employment rate of at least 50%. Results: The study examined the self-reported occupational balance of 43 occupational therapists and it´s relationship with sociodemographic factors. The majority of participants were women aged 30-39, living with children, and had worked in the profession for 1-10 years. The majority of participants estimated that they did not agree with all the statements except for "I have enough time to do what I need to do", where 58.1% of participants estimated that they agreed. Participants with children, over 40 years old, living with a partner, working 80-89% of full-time hours, and with more experience in the profession tended to report higher levels of occupational balance. Conclusion: The study shows that occupational therapists working in home rehabilitation experience a low occupational balance, which can be influenced by factors such as gender, age, employment status, living situation and family situation. Women who have multiple roles in life may have difficulty maintaining a balance between work and personal life, which can have negative consequences for their work environment and well-being. The study can be used to develop strategies to improve occupational balance among occupational therapists in home rehabilitation and thus improve their work environment and well-being.

Career-specific associations are an integral part of professional life (Walston & Khaliq, 2012). In 1998, state occupational therapy (OT) associations reported that their membership rates reflected 25–50% of all registered OTs for their state (Breeden et al., 2000). Since then, membership rates have been declining throughout all state associations nationwide. This doctoral project is comprised of two nation-wide surveys distributed to OTs, occupational therapy assistants (OTAs), and board members of state associations in an effort to decipher and decode why OTs and OTAs do or do not join their state associations. Surveys inquired about the personal saliency of commonly referenced member benefits often provided by professional associations, and how respondents felt their state association provided for the effective implementation of these benefits. Open ended questions asked why and why not respondents are/are not association members and what their associations can do to change for the future. Significant results include the following: both OT and OTAs found the establishment of professional standards as most salient; board members rated implementation of benefits higher than current association members; and implementation of additional continuing education opportunities was the most popular change that respondents want to see from their association. Associations can most effectively begin to “modernize” their recruitment practices by creating more effective social media and Internet-based practices to disseminate pertinent information to stakeholders.