Daleen Casteleijn

The use of core concepts and terminology in South Africa

Abstract This article describes the evolution of occupational therapy terminology and identifies global developments that have influenced terminology in South Africa. Terminology in South Africa is largely driven by the occupational therapy educational institutions. However, South African universities do not have a national directive or framework providing a uniform terminology. A survey was conducted among the eight universities in South Africa that train occupational therapists to determine the current most frequently used concepts and terminology. The findings indicated that the core concepts most often used by the eight educational institutions in South Africa are: performance components, occupational performance areas, environment or context, creative ability, task concept, occupational science, role performance, habit, routine, adaptation, quality of life and independence. The findings from this preliminary survey of terminology use could facilitate discussion of the need for and advantages of using uniform terminology in South Africa.

Use of the logic model to develop and implement an interprofessional module for undergraduate healthcare students at a University in South Africa: A study protocol

ABSTRACT Interprofessional education and collaborative practice, supported by the World Health Organisation and the local Health Professions Council is not fully established at all universities and for all health professions in South Africa (HPCSA, 2014). In this study protocol, the logic model is proposed as a framework for the development of a module for final year healthcare students. The logic model will guide planning and implementation following the steps of situational analysis, input and processes, output and outcome. A community of practice will develop the module. Large-scale buy-in from management, faculty and students is required for successful implementation and sustainability.

A comparison of two assessments of levels of functioning in clients with intellectual disability between occupational therapists and nursing staff within a long-term mental healthcare facility in South Africa

Background The implementation of the South African Mental Health Care Act, which regulates care for clients with intellectual disabilities, impacted on the healthcare services provided to this population. Changes in the Act necessitated planning of new care packages, which resulted in the investigation of the current hospital client profile, as well as assessment data on patient abilities according to the occupational therapist and nursing staff as primary caregivers. Methods A retrospective, descriptive correlation study design was used as information was analysed from an existing database. Descriptive analysis of clients’ demographic data, occupational performance and adaptive functioning were done, as well as a Spearman’s rank correlation test and cluster analysis to describe the association between the levels of functioning as measured by the different professions. Results The results indicated low levels of abilities, as well as a good to excellent correlation between results of the Fairview self-help scale and Creative Participation Assessment. Conclusion This study provided preliminary evidence that these two tools are valuable instruments for measuring occupational performance and adaptive functioning in institutions that provide care for this vulnerable and under-researched population.