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Occupational Therapy Services (occupational + therapy_services)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	80%

Selected Abstracts

Practical strategies for working with indigenous people living in Queensland, Australia

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY INTERNATIONAL, Issue 4 2002
Elizabeth Watts
Abstract Internationally, occupational therapists have recognized the need to provide culturally appropriate services for indigenous people. This study explored experiences, perspectives and practical strategies of occupational therapists working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in rural and remote areas of Queensland, Australia. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight occupational therapists who had at least 12 months' experience providing services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in health, rehabilitation or education services. Key themes identified in the data focused on strategies for facilitating effective communication with individuals and families, and collaborating with other service providers. The role of Aboriginal Liaison Officers or Indigenous Health Workers was emphasized by participating therapists. Participants identified resources that they perceived as useful in their practice, such as cross-cultural training and access to indigenous health workers. Other resources suggested for further development included information about learning styles of indigenous people and information about cultural variations between specific Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The small number of participants limits generalizability of the findings. However, therapists can decide on the relevance of strategies to their own workplaces. Suggestions for further research focused on improving occupational therapy services for indigenous people in Australia. These include an investigation of therapy goals with indigenous people, and interviews with indigenous Australians and indigenous health workers about their experiences and perceptions of occupational therapy. Copyright © 2002 Whurr Publishers Ltd. [source]

Fine motor difficulties: The need for advocating for the role of occupational therapy in schools

AUSTRALIAN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY JOURNAL, Issue 3 2007
Michelle Jackman
Background:,Fine motor difficulties can impact on the academic, social and emotional development of a student. Aim:,The aims of this paper are to: (i) investigate the need for support to students experiencing fine motor difficulties from the perspective of their classroom teachers, and (ii) report on the level of knowledge teachers have in regard to the role of occupational therapists in supporting students with fine motor difficulties. Methods:,Fifteen teachers from a stratified random sample of public schools within two regions of Victoria, Australia, were interviewed in this qualitative, grounded theory investigation. Results:,Results showed that the current level of support for students with fine motor difficulties is inadequate. Conclusion:,Occupational therapists in Victoria need to advocate their role in developing the fine motor skills of students at both an organisational and an individual level in order to increase the access of students with fine motor difficulties to occupational therapy services. [source]

Retention: An unresolved workforce issue affecting rural occupational therapy services

AUSTRALIAN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY JOURNAL, Issue 4 2002
Anna Mills
Failure to retain health professionals in rural areas contributes to the poor health status of these communities through an inability to deliver reliable and consistent services. Considerable attention has been focused on factors affecting recruitment of health professionals. Far less is known about factors affecting the retention of occupational therapists. This was the focus of this study. Ethnographic interviews were used to explore the experiences of 10 occupational therapists who had left rural practice. Six themes emerged from the participants' experiences, from when they first considered rural practice to reflections following their departure from it. These themes were initial appeal, facing the challenge, rural practice issues, the social sphere, reasons for leaving and the value of rural experience. These factors gave rise to a proposed Model of Retention Equilibrium, which suggests that retention can be improved by addressing the imbalance between incentives to leave and incentives to stay. The model provides a useful framework for occupational therapists contemplating rural practice, as well as for health services managers responsible for service delivery in rural areas. [source]

The Australian Health Care Agreement 1998,2003: Implications and strategic directions for occupational therapists

AUSTRALIAN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY JOURNAL, Issue 2 2000
Susan Brandis
Funding for public health services in Australia is provided to the States and Territories from the Commonwealth. Contractual obligations for how these monies are allocated are detailed in the Australian Health Care Agreement 1998,2003, which has replaced the Medicare Agreement 1993,1998. Key issues identified in the new Agreement, which will impact on occupational therapy services, include arrangements for mental health services, palliative care initiatives, casemix, health system reform, and private health insurance. Particular implications stem from the proposed reforms to the health system. These include the quality agenda, outcome-based funding and evidence-based practice. Other themes identified include future opportunities for occupational therapists working in health services and the imperative to form collaborative partnerships with consumers and other health care providers. The Australian Health Care Agreement is analysed and suggestions given for strategic directions for occupational therapists to consider. [source]

The needs of physically disabled young people during transition to adult services

CHILD: CARE, HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 4 2004
B. Ko
Abstract Objectives, The needs and provisions for health service and housing adaptation of a cohort of school leavers with physical disabilities in two inner city London health districts are described in this cross-sectional study. Methods, Fourteen young people were assessed by two consultant community paediatricians during their last year at school, using a structured proforma that includes the British Association of Community Child Health standards of functional levels. Results, Great difficulty was encountered in identifying the subjects, partly because of inadequate information systems. Only 16 were identified out of over 12 000 school leavers. Important discrepancies were found between the needs assessed and the services provided. For the total sample, the need for 49 potential referrals to adult specialist services was identified, but 17 were not made as such services did not exist, in contrast to what had been available within paediatric services. Adult physiotherapy and occupational therapy services were particularly under-provided for young people with physical disabilities. Only a minority were eligible for housing adaptations. Conclusions, Suggestions are made for improvements in information systems, the transition process, revised provision of services and closer involvement of general practitioners. [source]