Tables: 3 1 Abstract Introduction: Strong professional identity allows for appropriate representation and promotion of occupational therapy. Academic education assists in the development of occupational therapy identity. Thise study aims of this study was to explore the development of occupational therapy identity and graduate attributes in occupational therapy students after the first year of a revised curriculum.Method: Occupational therapy students (n=58) were surveyed at the commencement of second year. Data analysis used descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (χ² for trend).Results: Fifty-four students (93.1%) completed the survey. Students progressively developed occupational therapy identity over time. There were no significant associations between main factors influencing original decision to study occupational therapy and when occupational therapy identity developed. However, Tthere were significant associations between main factors that influencinged students' decision to continue studying occupational therapy (but not the main factors that influenced decision to study) and when occupational therapy identity developed. Most students agreed the curriculum equipped them to develop graduate attributes, although this was not significantly associated with factors that either influenced students to study or continue studying occupational therapy. There was no significant association between the main factors that influenced students to study or continue studying occupational therapy and graduate attributes. There was significant association between development of graduate attributes and occupational therapy identity graduate attributes and development of occupational therapy identity over time. Conclusion:This study showed an emergence of occupational therapy identity and graduate attributes in students demonstrating the importance of the first year curriculum in the development of these factors.2

Considered in combination, these themes offer a guide for therapists to explore their own experience of and responses to professional grief and, in doing so, foster the development of personalised management strategies.

Abstract:Individuals affected by natural disasters can undergo critical life changes throughout the recovery process. With a forecast increase in frequency and impact of natural disasters it is important to consider the occupational recovery process that individuals experience postdisaster. This qualitative descriptive study explored the experience of occupational disruption and occupational recovery of individuals two years after Cyclone Yasi struck a small, regional town in Northern Queensland, Australia. Nine semi-structured interviews from long-term residents of the town affected by Cyclone Yasi were conducted two years after the event. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and independently coded using thematic analysis by three researchers. Five interrelated themes were identified through this research. These included: 'Recovery occupations'; 'Interruption to leisure and productive occupations'; 'Reconstruction: a second disaster'; 'Occupational liminality' and 'A new normal'. These themes point to a phased process of occupational recovery through which disaster survivors encounter numerous personal and contextual barriers, encumbering their return to re-engagement in meaningful occupational routines. The findings from this research offer insights into the support needs of both individuals and communities as they endeavour to overcome challenges associated with the recovery process.

The contexts into which refugees and asylum seekers resettle, particularly the socio-political context as represented through various discourses, shape their occupational opportunities, health, and well-being. This article explores current literature in regard to the contemporary Australian discursive climate, particularly in relation to the way it may shape the occupational experiences of refugees and asylum seekers. In addition, a synthesis of current research regarding the occupational experiences of refugees and asylum seekers during their period of resettlement is presented. These two topics of research, drawn from 42 articles, were thematically analyzed. Identified themes include imagined possibilities prior to arrival, establishing occupational routines on entry to the Australian community, and pursuing a personally meaningful life. The authors argue that consideration of the way in which discourse shapes the lived world, and in turn, the occupational opportunities of refugees and asylum seekers, is of key importance for those working with these marginalized groups.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the rehabilitation goals of inpatients with cancer. The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) was used with 90 inpatients in a cancer rehabilitation centre to identify rehabilitation goals and their level of importance. These goals were divided into the occupational performance categories of self-care, productivity and leisure. Results showed that 65% of goals were related to self-care, 20% to leisure and 15% to productivity. Self-care, leisure and productivity goals were attributed similar importance ratings by the study subjects, with average scores being 8.66, 8.21 and 8.81 respectively (on a scale of 1–10, with 10 being of highest importance). The authors conclude that these findings have important implications for therapists and managers working in cancer rehabilitation who are responsible for the provision of a holistic, client-led service.