Purpose: This study describe and compare the ability of professionals working in municipality stroke rehabilitation services to facilitate learning and change in the daily living of stroke survivors in two regions: one in northern Norway, the other central Denmark. Materials and Methods: Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with survivors 3 and 9 months after discharge from in-patient care. By contrast, field observations and focus group interviews were completed with professionals on multidisciplinary teams in the two regions. A sociocultural perspective on learning was applied during data analysis. Results: Altogether, the ability of municipal health services to facilitate learning and change for stroke survivors during the first year generally depended upon developing comprehensive integrated rehabilitation plans and ensuring access to coordinated, qualified multidisciplinary teams with professional knowledge and skills to support the survivors and their families during processes of adjustment, learning and change. However, Danish stroke survivors seemed positioned to be more active, proactive and empowered, and their processes of learning and change seemed more closely co-constructed with professional support. Conclusion: Findings reveal considerable differences in municipal stroke rehabilitation services in northern Norway and central Denmark and their ability to support stroke survivors in performing self-management.
Acknowledgements:The authors would like to thank Easyfact AS for technical support with the electronic questionnaire development, the seven occupational therapists who piloted the electronic draft, and all the therapists who responded the questionnaire. We also acknowledge Ergoterapeutene (the Norwegian Occupational Therapy Association) who have contributed with funds and practical assistance.
A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted (n = 561). Almost half of the participants took part in research and development projects. Being involved in research and development was associated with lower age, having further education, and higher levels of work experience. The current and prioritized research topics were reablement and assistive technology. The study implies that community-working occupational therapists are largely involved in research and development, or eager to become involved.
Aim: This study aimed to assess the perceived influence that community-working occupational therapists in Norway have on the service goals of their respective organizations. In addition, we aimed to assess sociodemographic and work-related factors associated with the perceived level of influence. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was distributed to occupational therapists in community-based services in Norway (n = 1767), to which 561 (32%) responded. By multivariate regression analysis, factors associated with “self-perceived influence” were assessed. Results: After controlling for all variables, having a master’s degree (β = 0.09, P < .05), being involved in a research and development project (β = 0.25, P < .001), and not working with assistive technology (β = −0.19, P < .001) were associated with higher perceived influence. Conclusions: For occupational therapy to reach its potential in Norwegian community-based health care, the profession needs to establish itself more firmly and increase its influence within the health care services. To do so, it appears important to support occupational therapists’ educational aspirations, their participation in research and development projects, and their autonomous role in relation to the provision of assistive technology equipment.
As enrollment numbers grow in occupational therapy academic programs in Norway, the need for more fieldwork placements and supervisors increases. More knowledge about factors of importance for occupational therapists' decisions to take on the role of fieldwork supervisor may promote easier access to supervisors who are ready for the task, and it may assist in addressing the barriers for those who are not. We recruited a sample of 561 community-working occupational therapists for an electronic survey conducted in 2017. Quantitative survey responses were obtained and used in the current study. The differences between supervisors and non-supervisors were examined with independent t-tests and Chi Square tests. To assess factors associated with serving as a supervisor, a multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted. One hundred fifty-six participants (27.8%) had served as a fieldwork supervisor during the preceding year. The adjusted analysis showed that having a job physically located together with other occupational therapists was significantly associated with increased odds for serving as supervisor (OR:1.79, 95% CI:1.17-2.74, p < 0.01). A minority of the participants had supervised occupational therapy students during the preceding year, suggesting that community-based services are an under-used arena for occupational therapy students' fieldwork. In a long-term perspective, providing social and organizational support for occupational therapists who might take on student supervision may increase their willingness and opportunity to do so. Comments The authors report grants from Ergoterapeutene (The Norwegian Occupational Therapy Association), during the conduct of the study.
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