Kerryellen Vroman

Now let me tell you in my own words: narratives of acute and chronic low back pain

Purpose. In the past, qualitative studies have focused on chronic low back pain (LBP), yet 90% of LBP is acute and episodic. The purpose of this study was to examine the broader experience (acute as well chronic) of LBP in the community. Methods. This study was part of a Personal Project Analysis of adaptation to LBP. Participants answered an open-ended question that invited them to tell researchers about their LBP. The narratives were analysed using thematic content analysis and structure was analysed using the narrative types described in ‘The Wounded Storyteller’ (Frank A. The Wounded Story Teller: Body, Illness and Ethics. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press; 1995). Findings. Two themes were identified: 1) the challenges to the authenticity of LBP and 2) the consequences of living with LBP, which had two threads: the disruption of life due to physical limitations, and the emotional distress incurred. The narratives were solely told as chaos narratives. Conclusions. The emotional and behavioural responses of individuals with LBP and the tensions that exist between the individual and others, especially healthcare providers, is explained in the context of LBP as a moral event. Understanding the narratives as chaos narratives provides insight into ways to improve the quality of the interactions between patients and health care providers.

Childhood Obesity: Effects on Children's Participation, Mental Health, and Psychosocial Development

ABSTRACT Obesity and being overweight in a child significantly affects his or her healthy development hence there is an understandable focus in the occupational therapy literature on the physical health and difficulties in motor function related to obesity. However, this emphasis somewhat overshadows the psychosocial issues of growing-up obese or overweight. The objective of this paper is to apprise readers of the salient multiple psychosocial sequelae associated with childhood obesity including weight bias and victimization. A conceptual systems framework that supports a multifaceted approach to the occupational and developmental challenges on a population and/or individual level is discussed.

Service Learning Can Make Occupation-Based Practice a Reality: A Single Case Study

ABSTRACT Service learning is philosophically congruent with the objectives of progressive occupational therapy curricula. This article presents a case-based research study that examined the attributes and outcomes of a service-learning course that included Level I fieldwork. Analysis of the case study identified three themes: (a) the translation of theory to practice, (b) the value of contextual learning, and (c) the gestalt of occupational awareness. Service learning can be considered a pedagogical [2] model that promotes the synthesis of conceptual models to clinical practice. Furthermore, it enables students to develop a professional and personal philosophy of occupation earlier in their careers.

Prejudicial Attitudes Toward Clients Who Are Obese: Measuring Implicit Attitudes of Occupational Therapy Students

ABSTRACT Stigmatizing attitudes can undermine the quality of health care. This study examines the attitudes and beliefs of 189 occupational therapy students toward clients who are obese. Results indicate that the occupational therapy students were more likely to make negative evaluations of clients who were obese. The univariate between-subjects analysis of the Attitudes Toward Obesity—Prejudicial Evaluation and Social Interaction Scale scores found that the difference between the means for overweight and average-weight clients for Social Distance and Judgment were statistically significant (t(187) = 2.06, p = .04; t(187) = −2.008, p = .04). There was also a statistically significant difference between the Social Distance score means for female and male clients (t(187) = −2.12, p = .03). The explicit measures, the Attitudes Toward Obese Persons and the Beliefs About Obese Persons scores, showed that many students in the sample had stereotypical beliefs and, to a lesser extent, had negative attitudes about obesity. These results add support to the inclusion in occupational therapy curricula content that specifically addresses the awareness of stigmatizing stereotypes and attitudes toward clients who are obese.

A home-based individualized information communication technology training program for older adults: a demonstration of effectiveness and value

Abstract Purpose: To demonstrate the effectiveness and value of a home-based information communication technology (ICT) training program for older adults. Methods: Thirteen older adults were provided in-home ICT training by graduate occupational therapy students using an iPad. The breadth and frequency of ICT use, perspectives on technology, and perceived independence were recorded at baseline, during the 3-month training and at follow-up, along with an end-of-study questionnaire. Non-parametric Friedman analysis was conducted to verify trends in the outcome measures. The qualitative data were examined by content analysis. Results: Participants’ breadth of ICT activities showed a significant trend across 6 months. Leisure accounted for the significant increase, while health management and social connections activities increased modestly. A positive trend in participants’ perspectives on technology was evident along with a marginal increase in perceived independence. Participants’ perspectives were thematically categorized as technology experiences, interactions with coach, training approach, and specific activities. As reflection of the training program’s value, 12 of the 13 participants took ownership of the iPad at the end of the study. Conclusion: Building capacity of older adults to utilize the multifaceted potential of ICT is critical in addressing declines in health, impending disabilities, and social isolation. Implications for Rehabilitation A one-on-one home-based individualized information communication technology (ICT) training program for older adults could result in a progressive increase in the breadth of online activities carried out by them. Specifically, the increase in their usage of ICT could be expected in leisure-based online activities. Individualized training programs designed based on needs, priorities, and learning style of older adults could have a positive impact on their technological perspectives and intrinsic motivation to adopt ICT.

Occupational Therapy and the Childhood Obesity Epidemic: Research, Theory and Practice

Childhood obesity is a public health epidemic in the United States. Children who are overweight or obese experience multiple physical, emotional, and social challenges in daily life activity (occupational) participation. The profession of occupational therapy addresses children’s current and future health and occupational needs through the ability to participate in everyday life. Presented in this paper is an overview of the role occupational therapy can and does play in meeting the challenges posed by childhood obesity with all children, including those with disabilities. In the context of the research and prevalence data, examples of occupational therapy interventions for school- and community-based settings are examined. Case studies illustrate occupational therapists’ contribution in prevention of and intervention for childhood obesity. Future research and strategies for prevention and health promotion advocating for the occupational health of children are discussed.

Multi-stakeholder perspectives on information communication technology training for older adults: implications for teaching and learning

Abstract Objectives: The objective of this research was to identify and conceptualize barriers and strategies for effective implementation of information communication technology (ICT) training for older adults. Methods: A grounded theory approach was used to collect and analyze qualitative data from 61 participants in three stakeholder groups: older-adult ICT trainees, care providers and ICT trainers. Results: Care providers expressed older adults’ reluctance, lack of affinity, fears and socio-contextual attributes as barriers to overcome with ICT training. ICT trainers highlighted motivation, trainer–trainee relationship, patience, self-reliance and mutual value as strategic themes. ICT trainees elucidated occupational accomplishment, challenges and a sense of competence as themes from their experience with training. Discussion: While digital literacy and skill building have traditionally been the key focus of ageing-centred ICT training, a deeper approach to address internal (personal) and external (socio-contextual) barriers, as conceptualized in the study finding, is vital in yielding successful outcomes. Implications for rehabilitation Information communication technology (ICT) is a vital resource for older adults to age-in-place and for health professionals in delivery of tele-rehabilitation. Family members and care providers realize the scope of ICT for ageing-in-place but raise doubts on the inherent motivation and abilities of older adults to adopt ICT. On the other hand, older adults who engage in one-on-one ICT training value their new-found sense of accomplishment and competence in using the Internet and social media. Graduate students who provided the training greatly appreciate their own learning experience, and stress the need for mutual trust, patience and simplicity in teaching ICT. A major precursor to imparting digital literacy and skills in older adults who lack ICT exposure is to help them overcome deep-seated attitudinal and socio-contextual barriers through a one-on-one approach.