Thesis (MAppSc)--University of South Australia, 1998

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Aberdeen University, 2009. / Title from web page (viewed on Dec. 8, 2009). Includes bibliographical references.

This programme of research aimed: (1) to generate an evidence base about children’s occupational therapists’ caseload management (i.e. their behaviours related to assessment, treatment and discharging); (2) to build a model of caseload management behaviours; and (3) to design an evidence- and theory-based intervention to change key caseload management behaviours. Results: Step 1: The studies included data from 26 therapists, 7 parents and 154 case notes in six NHS services.  The key behaviours were: therapists’ formulation of therapy goals and plans; agreement of these with clients; evaluation of progress; and active engagement of others.  A range of therapists’ beliefs about the behaviours were identified. Step 2: The first three key behaviours and children’s length of time on caseload were specified as outcomes, with the proposed predictors consisting of the beliefs related to these.  Step 3: Four clusters of behaviour change techniques were chosen and combined into an intervention entitled <i>Good Goals.</i> Conclusions: An evidence- and theory-based intervention to enhance children’s occupational therapists’ caseload management was developed.  The next steps are to investigate its feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness.  The intervention, if found effective, has potential to be applicable to other community healthcare professionals. The programme of research is an example of a systematic, reportable and evidence-based development of a complex intervention, with its methods likely to be acceptable to other projects.  The model of caseload management has the potential to be used in community services to identify potential threats to efficient and equitable caseload management and provides an evidence- and theory-based foundation for future research in caseload management.

Thesis (MHlthSc(OccTh))--University of South Australia, 1999

Thesis (MHlthSc(OccTh))--University of South Australia, 1999

Although the profession of occupational therapy had its origins in the treatment of the mentally ill, and was among the pioneers in developing community-based programs to meet the social and emotional needs of children, a study of 28 therapists practicing in the public schools revealed that these occupational therapists did not serve students with behavioral disorders unless they also exhibited a neurological disorder. The results of this study revealed that occupational therapy is not recognized by the educational sector as an essential related service for students with behavioral disorders. Occupational therapy is viewed as a modality much akin to physical therapy in which the focus is on motor skill development.