Peggy Prince Wittman

The Friendship Club: an after-school program for children with Asperger syndrome.

The Friendship Club is a program designed and implemented by occupational therapy students and faculty to help teach children, ages 8–15, activities related to friendship and skills necessary to maintain friends. The program, a joint effort between university partners, a local parent support group, and a local Rotary Club that provided funding, was deemed successful by participants, parents, and leaders. This article reviews the interdisciplinary development of the club, the program, and its outcomes. Recommendations for the groups continuation are supported by feedback obtained from participants and their parents.

The Effects of Chronic Illness on Roles and Emotions of Caregivers

Approximately one fourth of the population is affected by chrome illness or disability (Schuster and Ashburn, 1992). It has been reported that caregivers of individuals with chronic illness or disability have feelings that were associated with their caregiving role. Olshansky (1962) described and termed these feelings “chronic sorrow.” This study looked at the intensity of chronic sorrow in caregivers of adults with mental illness, geriatric and pediatric individuals with chronic illnesses. We also examined the possible relationship between the caregivers roles and the intensity of chronic sorrow they experienced. The feelings of caregivers were analyzed at different stages during the caretaking period. Using quantitative measures this study determined that chronic sorrow can linger well past diagnosis and that there are trigger events that can increase chronic sorrow. Armed with this knowledge occupational therapists can make interventions that will more fully address the client and caregivers needs.

The Tillery Project

The purpose of this project was to provide an opportunity for OT and PT students to work together as an interdisciplinary team in a rural healthcare setting. Since residents who were evaluated and treated in their homes and in a community center were all 65+ year old African Americans, participants had a unique socio-cultural experience. A description of the project, its goals, and future plans is provided. Outcome data from participant journal entries, a questionnaire designed to study role perceptions, and a questionnaire to assess results of the project is described. Results indicate that the Tillery Project experience was a very positive learning experience for faculty, students, and Tillery residents and that an increased awareness of the roles of the OT and PT disciplines were seen in the students who participated.

Hands-On Learning in Tillery

The Tillery Experience provides a unique, cross-cultural opportunity for students to learn and practice occupational therapy skills in a rural, primarily African American community in northeastern North Carolina. This qualitative study investigates how involvement in this community-based experience affects participants. Twelve past and current students participated in a focus group. Results indicate that participants valued the hands-on learning they experienced, felt enriched as a result of the hands-on learning, and developed cultural competency as a result of their involvement in the Tillery Experience. These themes relate to theories of transformative education, transformative learning, and situated cognition. Implications for supervision and planning educational experiences are discussed.

Helping Occupational Therapy Students and Faculty Develop Cultural Competence

SUMMARY Given the need for health professionals, including occupational therapists, to be able to work with individuals and populations from a variety of cultures, this paper describes a qualitative study in which faculty and students from an occupational therapy program have been immersed in a community-built program serving African American, elderly citizens. Cultural competency and its measurement are addressed and used to assess positive results from the study.

Educating for Community-Based Occupational Therapy Practice: A Demonstration Project

SUMMARY This paper describes a demonstration program designed by one university Occupational Therapy program to prepare graduates to work in community-based practice settings. Faculty and students are involved in a partnership with designated community agencies to learn to assess needs, plan programs, and evaluate outcomes using a variety of research methodologies. Completion of the project is tied to the completion of a required masters degree research paper. Results of the first year of the project have been largely successful and those involved look forward to continuing the project in the future. The project is described and recommendations for change based on these results are presented.

Quality of Life of Older African American Women in Rural North Carolina

ABSTRACT Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship of activity to the quality of life of female African American elders. Methods: Framed in the critical emancipatory paradigm, the study used qualitative research methodology, including the analysis of transcribed interviews and the critical review of relevant literature. Results: Contributors to this study identified numerous past and present activities. The activities were bound together with the themes of “The Lord,” Doing, Family, Environment, “I had to let it go,” and “Just a part of life.” Discussion: Study results indicate that participants have enhanced their quality of life and emancipated themselves through engagement in a variety of activities that hold both real and symbolic meaning.

Occupational Therapy in the Community: What, Why, and How

SUMMARY This paper discusses ways of defining community practice. It differentiates between the terms “community-based” and “community-built” and makes the argument that community-built occupational therapy practice is the best alternative.