Occupational therapy

Author(s):  
Alison Hammond ◽  
Joanne Adams ◽  
Yeliz Prior

People with rheumatoid arthritis can find it painful, tiring, and frustrating to perform their daily activities, work, family and social responsibilities, and leisure. While drug therapy has improved outcomes, many still experience limitations in their daily lives. Occupational therapy aims to: improve clients’ abilities to perform their activities and participate in their social roles; reduce pain and fatigue; improve or maintain physical function; improve or maintain psychological status; help people self-manage their condition successfully and adapt to changes in their lifestyle; achieve a healthy work and personal life balance. People with participation restrictions have poorer psychological and physical outcomes. Helping people participate in their roles, as and when they wish to, is an important part of rehabilitation to maximize clients’ quality of life. Occupational therapists use a wide range of educational, physical, social, psychological, and work-related interventions to help people live their lives as successfully as possible.

F1000Research ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 75
Author(s):  
Carlos Eduardo Ramos Ataide ◽  
Alberto Gonçalves Matos Junior ◽  
Lorena Henriete Araújo Dias ◽  
Luciane Ferreira Farias ◽  
Carlos Roberto Monteiro de Vasconcelos Filho ◽  
...  

Background: In March 2020, the World Health Organization classified infection and contagion of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as a worldwide pandemic. Since then, health professionals have been tirelessly researching the symptoms and consequences of this disease in people's daily lives. Occupational therapists have also been mobilized to implement effective actions in order to guarantee the functionality and quality of life of individuals and groups. The aim of this article was to investigate what available resources there are regarding occupational therapy during the pandemic, and thus support and enrich professional practice during this time. Methods: A search for was carried out for materials such as technical notes, guidelines for working with COVID-19 patients, clinical trials, and reflections and debates on occupational therapeutic practice during the COVID-19 pandemic. Articles in English, Portuguese and Spanish were included. The search was carried out in the Virtual Health Library (VHL), Google Scholar, Latin American & Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS), Scientific Electronic Library Online (SCIELO) databases, Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE), Pubmed, and the websites of occupational therapy entities and organizations. Results: A total of 44 materials were found and categorised into performance guides, technical notes and scientific articles. The materials dealt with different themes, with a predominance of guidelines for hospital practices. However, there was also a significant amount of notes on the positioning of representative bodies in the preparation of intervention guides in wards, intensive care units, and outpatient and patient homes to support these professionals. Conclusions: The results demonstrate the quick response of authors in the field of occupational therapy, to combat the challenges and barriers of the COVID-19 pandemic. The texts promote scientifically-based strategies to provide the best assistance to patients during the pandemic period.


2018 ◽  
Vol 85 (5) ◽  
pp. 408-417
Author(s):  
Sandra E. Moll ◽  
Caitlin M. Heino ◽  
Alison H. LeBlanc ◽  
Lydia B. Beck ◽  
Laura M. Kalef

Background. Workplace mental health (WMH) is an important and expanding practice area for occupational therapists. Purpose. This cross-sectional study explores the current practices and support needs of Ontario-based occupational therapists in WMH. Method. Registrants from the provincial association who provide mental health and/or work-related services were invited to participate. Ninety-three therapists completed an online survey; 10 participated in follow-up focus groups. Analysis involved descriptive statistics of the survey data and content analysis of the focus group data. Findings. Return to work, reactivation, and functional cognitive assessment were the most commonly reported services. Key challenges were limited funding and training and lack of awareness of the occupational therapy role. Therapists emphasized the importance of raising the competence, credibility, and profile of occupational therapy in WMH. Implications. Defining the role of occupational therapy, developing training and resources, and advocacy are needed to advance occupational therapy practice within this rapidly changing field.


2021 ◽  
pp. 206-212
Author(s):  
Maria Denise Pessoa Silva ◽  
Fiona Rolls ◽  
Lynne White ◽  
Tamsin Longley ◽  
Jane Murphy ◽  
...  

Occupational therapy in palliative care aims to help patients achieve their optimum independence for as long as possible in activities that are important to them. There is a wide range of difficulties and symptoms experienced by palliative patients with which occupational therapy can intervene, which may include physical disabilities and functional impairments, extreme fatigue, anxiety, shortness of breath, and cognitive deficits. This chapter describes the broad range of areas in which the occupational therapist works in palliative care together with the multidisciplinary team. They take a key role in assessing and treating functional difficulties, organizing and facilitating safe discharge and care at home, with the aim of achieving best quality of life and avoiding admission to hospital whenever possible. The occupational therapist analyses and assesses specific problems and provides a treatment programme or solution to help the patient remain as independent as possible, using clinical reasoning and evidence-based practice.


1981 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Van Deusen Fox

A random sample of recently certified occupational therapists was surveyed regarding their value positions. Results indicated that personal development of occupational therapy theory held low priority relative to other aspects of occupational therapy. Chi square analysis showed that those therapists who obtained their basic professional education in masters' or certificate programs valued theory development significantly more than their baccalaureate educated peers. Results also showed that newly certified occupational therapists did not have knowledge of a wide range of occupational therapy theorists and that such knowledge was unrelated to value position toward theory development.


2019 ◽  
Vol 87 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-11
Author(s):  
Asnat Bar-Haim Erez ◽  
Eynat Gal

Background. Quality of life (QoL) is an important outcome of occupational therapy practice. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that impacts the individual throughout their lifespan and may substantially affect QoL. Measuring QoL of people with ASD presents a challenge and a debate whether to use general versus disability-specific adapted measures. Purpose. This paper aims to (a) revisit the construct of QoL and discuss specific dilemmas pertaining to its measurement, and (b) discuss implications to the assessment of QoL in individuals with ASD while highlighting the potential contribution of occupational therapy to the development of measures. Key Issues. We suggest adding the domain of accessibility into QoL assessments, including, physical, sensory, social, and cognitive aspects, and to use disability-specific QoL measures. Implications. The paper presents a call for occupational therapists to be involved in developing specific ASD disability-oriented measures that consider the unique characteristics of the disorder and environmental supports.


1996 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Greg Kelly

Recently, there has been renewed interest in the relationship between feminism and occupational therapy, but does occupational therapy continue to operate on the feminine principle which underlies the philosophical basis of the profession? There is a strong tendency by some occupational therapists to emulate the masculine principle which drives the medical model but this, in fact, places occupational therapy at a disadvantage in the prevailing male culture. Drawing on a wide range of recent literature related to education, professionalism, management, research, clinical reasoning and complementary therapies, this article argues that the feminine principle is very much alive in the theory and practice of occupational therapy today.


2012 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 191-197
Author(s):  
GOMATHI S ◽  
SWAPNA M

Quality of working life has been differentiated from the broader concept of quality of life. To some degree, this may be overly simplistic, as Elizur and Shye,(1990) concluded that quality of work performance is affected by quality of life as well as quality of working life. However, the specific attention to work-related aspects of quality of life is valid. Whilst quality of life has been more widely studied, quality of working life remains relatively unexplored and unexplained. A review of the literature reveals relatively little on quality of working life. Where quality of working life has been explored, writers differ in their views on its core constituents. Various authors and researchers have proposed models of quality of working life which include a wide range of factors. This paper concentrates on the role of job satisfaction in quality of work life.


Author(s):  
Thayane de Cácia Brito Prudente ◽  
Rayssa Béder César Paiva ◽  
Daniela Tavares Gontijo

Introdução: A população em situação de rua caracteriza-se predominantemente pela falta de moradia regular, condição de pobreza extrema e vínculos rompidos ou fragilizados. No entanto, a vida na rua e o acesso aos serviços socioassistenciais tendem a não se configurar da mesma forma para homens e mulheres. Considerando a perspectiva do desempenho ocupacional, os terapeutas ocupacionais se preocupam com os fatores que influenciam o envolvimento dos sujeitos em ocupações. Objetivo: compreender o desempenho ocupacional de mulheres em situação de rua. Métodos: Estudo de abordagem qualitativa, com base na História Oral de Vida. A coleta de dados foi realizada em dois serviços socioassistenciais do Recife que atendem pessoas em situação de rua.  Os dados foram coletados através de entrevistas semiestruturadas e submetidos à Análise de Conteúdo Temática. Resultados/discussão: Foram entrevistadas 8 mulheres com idades entre 20 a 39 anos. A análise resultou em três categorias temáticas: Desempenho Ocupacional na infância, Ida para rua e Desempenho Ocupacional na rua. As categorias forma dividias em: Atividades de Vida Diária (AVDs), Atividades Instrumentais de Vida Diária (AIVDs), Trabalho, Lazer e Participação Social. Observou-se que as mulheres em situação de rua vivenciam um processo de privação ocupacional pela situação de desfiliação em que vivem, com repercussão negativa na qualidade de vida. Conclusão: Neste estudo pode-se observar a dificuldade das mulheres em realizar todas as ocupações, justificando a intervenção da Terapia Ocupacional para favorecer o empoderamento pessoal, a ressignificação do cotidiano e exercício da cidadania.  AbstractIntroduction: The population in street situation is predominantly characterized by a lack of regular housing, an extreme poverty and  weakened or broken bonds. However, street living and access to social assistance services tend not to be configured in the same way for men and women. Considering the perspective of occupational performance, occupational therapists are concerned with factors that influence the subjects' engagement in occupations. Objective: To understand the occupational performance of women who are homeless. Method: A qualitative study based on the Oral Story of Life. The data collection was performed in two social assistance services in the city of Recife that receive people who live on streets. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and submitted to the Thematic Content Analysis. Results/Discussion: Eight women aged 20 to 39 years were interviewed. The analysis resulted in three thematic categories: Occupational Performance in childhood, Going to the streets and Occupational Performance in the streets. The categories were divided into Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs), Work, Leisure and Social Participation. It was observed that homeless women experience a process of occupational deprivation with negative repercussions on the quality of life due to the situation of disaffiliation in which they live. Conclusion: In this study it is possible to observe the women's difficulty to perform all the occupations, justifying the intervention of the Occupational Therapy to favor the personal empowerment, the resignification of the daily life and the exercise of the citizenship.Keywords: Homeless persons, Autobiography, Gender identity, Women, social Vulnerability, Occupational therapy.


2015 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 56-62
Author(s):  
D. Vacheva

Summary Causes for plexus brachialis damage are versatile, and in some cases remain unknown, but mostly result from degenerative and inflammatory processes. Treatment of brachial plexus dysfunction is often conservative and is subject to a team of specialists - neurologists, traumatologists, rehabilitation physicians, kinesitherapists and occupational therapists. The objective of the research is to report the recovery of patients with lesion of plexus brachialis after a complex physiotherapy and rehabilitation treatment program that includes electrostimulation, remedial massage, kinesitherapy, electrotherapy and occupational therapy. A total of 159 patients, treated at the Clinic of Physical Therapy, University Hospital of Pleven, were included in the study. Improvement of measured indexes: pain assessment, centimetry, assessment of upper limb muscle weakness, dynamometry and functional test of activities of daily living, was registered in all patients under observation. In order to achieve good results in the rehabilitation of patients with injured plexus brachialis, timely diagnosis, good medication therapy and early start of complex physiotherapy and rehabilitation are of crucial importance, so that performance of daily living activities improves. The good results come slowly and with difficulties, but the quality of life of patients and the quality of labor performed by them, improves significantly.


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