Vivien Hollis

Conducting Focus Groups: Purpose and Practicalities

Focus groups are increasingly used by health professionals for obtaining research data and for gathering opinions about the perceived qualities of a service. The advantages of this method are that it is easily understood, reflects cultural differences and has a high face validity by providing convincing findings. Focus groups are especially useful for exploring the attitudes and experiences associated with a particular topic. Although occupational therapists may be using focus groups, only a very few studies have been reported. This paper provides background information on focus groups which will assist in weighing this method against a number of other group techniques. Personal experience and a wide range of published material contribute to guidelines for preparing for and conducting focus groups. Practical suggestions and approaches are offered to help occupational therapists to increase the credibility and dependability of their results.

Evaluation of powered mobility use in home and community environments.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of powered mobility by young individuals with physical disabilities. The four study objectives were to: (a) describe the characteristics of children and adolescents who received powered wheelchairs at eighteen years of age or younger, (b) evaluate the longitudinal use or disuse of powered mobility by these participants, (c) describe the extent and locations of powered mobility use, and (d) explore environmental (i.e., physical, social and attitudinal) barriers and facilitators to successful powered mobility use with the participants and their families. Sixty-six families shared information during a structured telephone interview. The results of this study confirm that younger children are now receiving powered wheelchairs. The results also suggest that powered mobility is reserved for children with the most severe disabilities. Physical and occupational therapists can work collaboratively with more families to explore powered mobility as one of an array of early movement options.

Self-Directed Learning as a Post-Basic Educational Continuum

The importance of applying theory to practice has always been a major consideration for occupational therapy training, especially at a pre-qualification level. The focus of this article is on continuing education at a post-basic level with the emphasis on self-assessment and reflective practice in clinical work. The educational process is related to self-directed learning, with recommendations for consideration for implementing a strategy to bridge the theory-practice divide and develop clinical excellence.

Core Skills and Competencies: Part 3, Excellence Made Explicit

Part 1 of this series discussed some of the reasons for, and difficulty in, occupational therapists defining clinical excellence, and part 2 gave background information on the competency approach and the critical incident technique as a means of identifying and encouraging successful performance. In part 3, this work is applied to occupational therapy research and some of the current findings, on the nature of occupational therapy experience and expertise, are presented.

Core Skills and Competencies: Part 2, the Competency Conundrum:

In this second article of a series of four, the competency approach is debated and its application to different medical and commercial organisations explained. The relevance of the approach to the understanding and clarification of occupational therapy clinical practice is discussed. The critical incident technique, as a method of collecting meaningful descriptions of what occupational therapists do to enable the identification of competencies, is considered among others.

Therapists' Perspectives on the Management and Delivery of Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy Services:

The impact of restructuring healthcare services on the day-to-day practice of occupational therapists and physical therapists was examined. Four main issues emerged: Limited understanding of scopes of practice; absence of a rehabilitation perspective at decision-making tables; lack of a career ladder; and barriers to the maintenance and enhancement of professional competence. This article describes the reported impact of these issues on patient care specifically and on the healthcare system in general. Recommendations for an improved structure within an interdisciplinary management paradigm that would ensure effective and efficient use of healthcare resources are provided.

Core Skills and Competencies: Part 4, Application and Expectation

Given the current interest in workforce efficacy and efficiency, as evidenced by the number of initiatives termed ‘skill mix studies’, ‘re-profiling exercises’ and ‘job evaluation’, occupational therapists need to define explicitly what certain grades of staff can be expected to do. This last article in the series supplements research described in part 3 and offers a different perspective on how to deal with the issue of defining clinical input. The work presented is the practical application, interpretation and augmentation of initial findings.1

The Meaning of Occupation, Occupational Need, and Occupational Therapy in a Military Context

Despite occupational therapists having strong historical ties to the Canadian military, there are currently no uniformed occupational therapists and only a few permanent occupational therapists employed by Canadian Forces. Occupational therapy is provided, in the main, through civilian occupational therapists. Occupational therapists have unique skills that can contribute to the existing Canadian Forces Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Services Department. To establish the depth and scope of their work, this article explains the theoretical underpinnings of occupational therapy. Examples are provided of possible occupational therapy for populations of Canadian Forces members: (1) those with transient, intermittent injuries; (2) those returning from overseas missions with very serious injuries or severe injuries; and (3) those with permanent injuries who are transitioning from the Canadian Forces into the civilian workforce. Interventions for mental health issues are interwoven with those targeting physical issues. The article suggests that occupational therapists employed on a permanent basis by the Canadian Forces can contribute in a more comprehensive manner to the wider rehabilitation of Canadian Forces members. The article has applicability to occupational therapy military services in other countries.

From All Perspectives: Opinions of Students and Teaching Staff regarding Occupational Therapy Distance Education

Introduction: A Canadian universitys entry-to-practice occupational therapy programme offered all six academic courses in the first autumn semester using online technologies. Method: This formative study explored the perspectives of the instructors (n = 6) and students (n = 4) who chose this education format for their online teaching and learning. Students and instructors participated in interviews and focus groups. Findings: Emerging themes from analysis were issues and recommendations related to course delivery, communication and support, courses particularly suited to distance delivery, and technical assistance. Conclusion: This study is unique in presenting the insights of multiple education stakeholders who participated in a whole semester of online rehabilitation courses.

Manpower Measurement: A Model

As a result of a local need to have agreed standards for occupational therapy staffing levels, the West Dorset Community Health NHS Trust occupational therapy service looked at the guidelines that were available and produced their own series of measurement formulae charts based on time and skill. This article describes the impetus for this work and the process that was undertaken, gives an example of the measurement formulae that were produced and discusses how this work has been applied.