Browsing by Person "Breckenridge, Jenna"

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Alcohol use amongst older adults: Knowledge and beliefs of occupational therapists working in physical health care settings
(2015-05) Maclean, Fiona; Gill, Jan; O'May, Fiona; Breckenridge, Jenna
Introduction: There is little discussion in the United Kingdom occupational therapy literature surrounding the topic of older people and alcohol, despite the growing prevalence of alcohol-related health problems in older adults resulting from an ageing population and changing patterns of consumption. Occupational therapists in physical health care settings are likely to work with older people whose drinking pattern may not be alcohol dependent, but may put their physical or psychological health at risk. Method: A survey methodology was employed using open and closed questions, recruiting occupational therapists (band 5 to 9) (n=122) working with older people (65+ years) in physical health care settings across all, except one, National Health Service Regional Health Boards in Scotland. Results: Responses highlight gaps in occupational therapists' knowledge around alternative 'safe limits' of alcohol intake for older people. Belief in professional role was evident, but the perception was that this was not supported by undergraduate education. Occupation focused theory and assessment were not prioritized when considering alcohol in the older adult. Conclusion: This study has highlighted a need to develop pre-and post-qualification education for occupational therapists, to enhance understanding of theory, assessment and knowledge of alcohol with older adults in physical health care settings. The Author(s) 2015.
Being person driven in a service driven organisation: a grounded theory of revisioning service ideals and client realities
(Lexington Education, 2011) Breckenridge, Jenna; Binsardi, A.; Mclean, A.
This paper presents the theory of 'Revisioning Service Ideals and Client Realities', which emerged from a classic grounded theory study of health care practitioners working within Condition Management Programmes. As part of a UK government initiative, Condition Management Programmes provided back to work support for incapacity benefit claimants. Practitioners' main concern was identified as being person driven within a service driven organisation. While the diverse needs of individual clients could not be met by a 'one size fits all' approach, practitioners were aware that the service could not be so individualised as to deconstruct its purpose. The theory emerging from this PhD study offers a conceptual explanation of the means through which this concern is resolved, explaining the way in which practitioners make situational adaptations to their practice in order to deviate from or retreat within service boundaries. By cycling iteratively between deconstructing and reinstating service ideals, practitioners are able to create a reverberating equilibrium between the expectations and realities of practice, negotiating a person driven approach without compromising service structures completely. The theory was developed using the full complement of classic grounded theory procedures and is based on interviews with 35 practitioners and observations of 26 client sessions. Informal observations, programme documentation, case notes and extant literature were also included as data. Although developed within the substantive area of Condition Management Programmes, by offering a conceptual explanation of the behaviour of service workers at a ground level, the theory has relevance to wider areas, most notably to theories of bureaucracy, organisations and policy implementation.
Being Person Driven In A Service Driven Organisation: A Grounded Theory Of Revisioning Service Ideals And Client Realities
(Queen Margaret University, 2010) Breckenridge, Jenna
This thesis presents a classic grounded theory study of Condition Management Programmes, which form part of the UK Government Initiative Pathways to Work. Condition Management Programmes provide short, work focused interventions to help people claiming incapacity benefits to return to employment. Delivered jointly between Jobcentre Plus and the NHS, or by providers within the private and voluntary sectors, health care practitioners working in Condition Management Programmes are often faced with competing priorities. This thesis has identified practitioners' concern with being person driven in a service driven organisation, and presents the emergent grounded theory of Revisioning Service Ideals and Client Realities which explains conceptually the means through which this concern is continually resolved. Practitioners are conceptualised as 'revisioning' or making thoughtful, situational adaptations to their practice which either deviate from or retreat within service boundaries. By cycling iteratively between deconstructing and reinstating service ideals, practitioners are able to create a reverberating equilibrium between the expectations and realities of practice, negotiating a person driven approach without compromising service structures completely. The theory has been developed using the full complement of classic grounded theory procedures and is based on interviews with 35 practitioners and observations of 26 practitioner-client sessions. Additional informal observations, programme documentation, client case notes and extant literature were also included as data. The theory adds to current Condition Management literature by explaining the differences across and within programmes, highlighting some important considerations for future development and evaluation within welfare to work. Furthermore, the theory of Revisioning Service Ideals and Client Realities, on account of its conceptual nature, also demonstrates relevance outwith its substantive area. Most notably, offering contributions to current research on treatment fidelity, theories of organisations and bureaucracy, and professional and clinical reasoning by offering a conceptual explanation of the behaviour of practitioners in daily practice.
Can we talk about it? A qualitative study exploring occupational therapists’ decision making in judging when to ask an older person about drinking alcohol
(Cambridge University Press, 2020-08-03) Maclean, Fiona; Dewing, Jan; Kantartzis, Sarah; Breckenridge, Jenna; McCormack, Brendan
Older people now currently drink alcohol more frequently than previous generations, indicating a need to understand how this influences health and wellbeing in older adults. However, knowledge and awareness of the changing role alcohol plays in the lives of older people is not necessarily widely understood by allied health professionals in acute hospital contexts. In turn, conversations about drinking alcohol in later life may not be routinely addressed as part of practice, limiting an older person's choice to make informed decisions about their drinking. This paper qualitatively examines when occupational therapists (N = 17) in an acute hospital setting will initiate a conversation with older people (65+ years) about their drinking, guided by a theoretical lens that encompasses both person-centredness and collective occupation. Adopting a qualitative methodology, this study illustrates a typology of reasoning describing how, and in what circumstances, therapists ask older people about their alcohol use. Three themes were generated that provide further insight into the typology, these being ‘hesitancy in practice’, ‘failure to link life transitions to alcohol use’ and ‘challenges of focusing on healthfulness’. These findings provide a potentially useful tool for therapists, services and organisations to self-assess their approach to asking older people about alcohol use; a necessary element of professional health-care practice as social trends in alcohol use continue to increase.
Choosing a Methodological Path: Reflections on the Constructivist Turn
(2012-06) Breckenridge, Jenna; Jones, Derek; Elliott, Ian; Nicol, Margaret
Researchers deciding to use grounded theory are faced with complex decisions regarding which method or version of grounded theory to use: Classic, straussian, feminist or constructivist grounded theory. Particularly for beginning PhD researchers, this can prove challenging given the complexities of the inherent philosophical debates and the ambiguous and conflicting use of grounded theory versions within popular literature. The aim of this article is to demystify the differences between classic and constructivist grounded theory, presenting a critique of constructivist grounded theory that is rooted in the learning experiences of the first author as she grappled with differing perspectives during her own PhD research.
Demystifying Theoretical Sampling in Grounded Theory Research.
(2009-06) Breckenridge, Jenna; Jones, Derek
Theoretical sampling is a central tenet of classic grounded theory and is essential to the development and refinement of a theory that is 'grounded' in data. While many authors appear to share concurrent definitions of theoretical sampling, the ways in which the process is actually executed remain largely elusive and inconsistent. As such, employing and describing the theoretical sampling process can present a particular challenge to novice researchers embarking upon their first grounded theory study. This article has been written in response to the challenges faced by the first author whilst writing a grounded theory proposal. It is intended to clarify theoretical sampling for new grounded theory researchers, offering some insight into the practicalities of selecting and employing a theoretical sampling strategy. It demonstrates that the credibility of a theory cannot be dissociated from the process by which it has been generated and seeks to encourage and challenge researchers to approach theoretical sampling in a way that is apposite to the core principles of the classic grounded theory methodology.
Sharing an innovative approach to curriculum development: constructing vocational rehabilitation modules
(The College of Occupational Therapists, 2012) Breckenridge, Jenna; McMillan, Ian R.
Use of occupation-focused language by occupational therapists in physical health care settings when considering older people and alcohol use
(Sage, 2015-07-01) Maclean, Fiona; Breckenridge, Jenna
Statement of context There is ongoing debate about therapists' use of occupation-focused language in practice. Through practice language analysis we explored how conceptual models influence therapists' word choice by re-analysing qualitative data from a survey of occupational therapists' knowledge and beliefs about alcohol use amongst older people. Critical reflection on practice We used word clouds to analyse practitioners' responses about whether they used conceptual models in practice. We reflect on three themes: theories that mirror the realities of practice; shaping theories in action; and 'considered' practice. Implications for practice Conceptual models shape, and are shaped by, the language of practice. This provides insight into the relationship between models, language and professional identity.