Thuli Godfrey Mthembu

Occupational Therapy Students' Perceptions of Spirituality in Training.

Spirituality is recognized as an essential and integral component of a holistic approach in occupational therapy practice. However, little is known about occupational therapy students’ perceptions regarding spirituality in learning context. This study used qualitative exploratory, descriptive design to explore the occupational therapy students’ perceptions about spirituality in training. Using purposive sampling, four semi-structured interviews were conducted with two students, a lecturer and an occupational therapist. In addition, two focus groups were conducted with students in order to collect data. Data collected were audio-taped; transcribed and thematic analysis was used to identify themes. The analysis resulted in emergence of four themes: “Unique to every individual,” “Spirituality in occupational therapy,” “To be or not to be taught,” and “The Real world.” Participants perceived spirituality as an individually experienced. The study contributes to the body of knowledge base of occupational therapy education regarding spirituality. However, there is a need for guidelines to integrate spirituality in occupational therapy training.

Exploring Occupational Therapy Students’ Perceptions of Spirituality in Occupational Therapy Groups: A Qualitative Study

ABSTRACT An exploratory–descriptive qualitative research approach explored occupational therapy students’ perceptions of spirituality in occupational therapy groups during the group fieldwork process. Four focus group discussions were conducted and thematically analyzed. Four themes related to the metaphoric expressions of spirituality emerged: (1) occupational group therapy is a vehicle for spirituality; (2) spiritual journey in occupational therapy groups; (3) engaging in occupations facilitates spirituality; and (4) make use of the resources to service the driver and vehicle. Occupational therapy groups appeared to be the facilitators of spirituality through engagement in occupations, which enhanced quality of life, health, and well-being of group members.

Barriers to Integration of Spirituality and Spiritual Care in Occupational Therapy Education in a South African context

ABSTRACT Integration of spiritual aspects in teaching and learning is very important for educators and students. The study explored the barriers impeding the integration of spirituality and spiritual care in occupational therapy education in a South African context. An exploratory-descriptive study employing focus group discussions was conducted with purposive sample of 29 occupational therapy students and 9 educators. Thematic analysis was used in this study. Themes emerged from the present study which identified the barriers to spirituality and spiritual care included barriers to teaching spirituality in the classroom; barriers to spirituality in fieldwork practice and barriers to spirituality at personal level.

Legacy Beliefs Across Generations: Comparing Views of Older Parents and Their Adult Children

This mixed-methods study examined legacy beliefs (i.e., anticipated remembrances and linkages to the self after death) as understood in 14 older parent and adult child pairs. This work validates and expands on a 2005 typology of legacy beliefs from gerontologists, Elizabeth Hunter and Graham Rowles. A structured interview was administered separately to parents and children, coded for legacy examples (i.e., those unique to the parent, overlapping, unique to the child), and analyzed with respect to expectations of similarity reported by each participant. Most predicted moderate to high overlap in mutual understanding of parent legacy. This was not the case, as there were far more unique legacy examples given than shared. Pairs agreed least with respect to material legacies, with half showing no agreement. All reported finding the structured discussion of legacy to be beneficial, with some indicating an intention to continue these discussions further. This work may constitute a new approach to intervention.

Guidelines to Integrate Spirituality and Spiritual Care in Occupational Therapy Education: A Modified Delphi Study

ABSTRACT This modified Delphi study aimed to develop educational guidelines for integrating spirituality and spiritual care into occupational therapy education. The first round comprised a self-administered questionnaire, the second round used a face-to-face workshop, and last round reviewed the developed educational guidelines, which reached the highest agreement and median values greater than 3.25. A panel of 18 comprised occupational therapy educators, clinicians, and nursing experts were recruited. A total of 126 out of 142 items reached the highest agreements from the panel participants, categorized based on the content knowledge-based, importance, skills, ethics, pedagogical approaches, teaching and learning strategies, and assessment of student learning.