Aim: The purpose of this study was to illuminate the experiences of older adults' return to leisure activities, following rehabilitation, post-stroke. Method: A phenomenological approach was used to explore the experiences of re-engaging in leisure occupations post-stroke. In-depth interviews were conducted with five community-dwelling individuals (three men, two women) aged 68-74 years who had experienced a stroke in the past year. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Findings: Four themes emerged: (i) Re-engaging in leisure activities, (ii) acceptance of physical limitations poststroke, (iii) gratitude for help and support and (iv) looking forward to the future. Conclusion: Implications revealed that post-stroke interventions need a more occupation-focussed approach, including return to leisure at an earlier stage of stroke rehabilitation.
Few studies have been conducted that address homelessness from the perspective of those who have experienced it. Studies tend to focus on services for homeless people, with little description of occupational engagement and the experiences of the homeless people themselves. This qualitative study, conducted within a phenomenological tradition, explored the lived experiences of adult men living in an inner-city shelter. Eight individual, unstructured interviews were carried out. In addition, three visual notebooks were compiled by the men, using photographs and text that illustrated the occupational realities of their life-world. Inductive, narrative analysis revealed four themes: keeping busy; street-life environment; loss; and revelation and sharing of self. The findings provide insight into the lives of homeless men. They therefore help to inform occupational therapy within a shelter environment in order to facilitate the homeless men moving forward to increased and more meaningful engagement in occupation and independent lives.
This paper outlines the findings of a small-scale study that explored disabled people's experiences of the sexual aspects of rehabilitation. It focuses on whether this should be the role of the occupational therapist or not. Sexuality is a complex area that encompasses many facets of the individual and is different to sexual functioning. The literature demonstrates that disability in any form may potentially result in problems with respect to sexuality as well as sexual functioning. Seven in-depth interviews were carried out with disabled people aged between 30 and 50 years. Although the sexual functioning of six participants was affected, only two had received information on sexual aspects of rehabilitation. All believed that they should receive advice and information on the sexual aspects of their rehabilitation, but were uncertain as to who should take responsibility for this role. The findings from this study suggest that any health professional would be appropriate for this responsibility, including occupational therapists, but that they would need specialist training. Undergraduate education and training for occupational therapists should address basic issues of sexuality and disability, and provide opportunities for individuals to explore their own values and beliefs so that they feel confident in discussing sexual issues with clients. Health professionals who work with clients with specific sexual needs are likely to require additional training in this sensitive area.
This study aimed to investigate how occupational therapists used the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS) in their clinical practice following an AMPS training course. Questionnaires and group interviews were used over a 9-month period to follow up 53 occupational therapists and establish how they were using the AMPS in their workplace. It explored the difficulties that they experienced in implementing the AMPS in their clinical practice and using the AMPS with their client group and within their clinical team. The results showed that 96% of the occupational therapists were using the AMPS in their clinical practice at 5 months following training and 83% were still using it at 9 months. The difficulties experienced included problems associated with low staffing levels, high workloads or lack of time to introduce new work skills. Success was dependent on a supportive working environment, especially from managers, and adequate time available to allow for the development of a new skill. Occupational therapy managers need to support therapists following training to make the best use of the time and the cost involved in training individuals to use the AMPS.
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