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Occupational Therapy and Arts Therapies

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://eresearch.qmu.ac.uk/handle/20.500.12289/25

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Author: search.filters.author.Fitzpatrick, Linda Irvine

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    Third Sector Perspectives on Community Link Worker Referrals in Social Prescribing: A Realist Analysis
    (Frontiers Media, 2025-10-08) Allbutt, Helen; Maciver, Donald; Leitch, Alison; Crandles, Anne; Fitzpatrick, Linda Irvine
    Introduction Community Link Workers (CLWs), also known as social prescribing link workers, connect individuals to community support, much of which is provided by third-sector organisations (TSOs). TSOs are common referral destinations for CLWs, yet the relationships between CLWs and TSOs remain under-explored. Method This realist study investigated TSOs’ perceptions of link working, focusing on referral and collaboration dynamics. Conducted across 22 TSOs in Scotland, it involved in-depth interviews with TSO staff and consultations with CLWs and managers, analysing data via realist heuristics to identify contexts, mechanisms, and outcomes. Results Targeted referrals by experienced CLWs, with follow-up, and strong TSO-CLW relationships, improved client health, wellbeing, and independence while reducing reliance on statutory services. These processes fostered professionals’ trust, satisfaction, and innovation, creating a positive feedback loop. Conversely, inconsistent referrals, such as over-referral or scattergun approaches, compounded by resource constraints and perceptions of inequitable partnerships, led to suboptimal client outcomes, dissatisfaction, and weakened collaboration. Important contexts included extreme resource pressures, varying CLW expertise, and perceptions of power imbalances. Discussion Effective social prescribing needs sustained TSO-CLW collaboration, supported by third-sector investment and tools for equitable partnerships. Rather than a referral process, social prescribing should be envisioned as a community of practice, defined by relationships, a common purpose and shared responsibility for challenges and solutions. Future models should prioritise strengthening statutory and third-sector trust and collaboration.
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    Establishing the measurement properties of the Residential Environment Impact Scale (Version 4.0)
    (Taylor & Francis, 2022-12-09) Harrison, Michele; Forsyth, Kirsty; Murray, Aja Louise; Angarola, Rocco; Henderson, Shona; Fitzpatrick, Linda Irvine; Fisher, Gail
    Background Developed as an environment assessment informed by the Model of Human Occupation, the Residential Environment Impact Survey considered the physical, social and activity features of the environment, evaluating the impact of the environment on resident’s quality of life. Clinicians reported that the Residential Environment Impact Survey was a useful tool; however, it had not been structured to be a measurement tool and did not have established psychometric properties. Aims/objectives This study examines the psychometric properties of the restructured Residential Environment Impact Scale Version 4.0 (REIS), which measures the level of environment support provided to residents. Material and methods The REIS was completed across residential sites for people with complex mental health needs. A many facets Rasch analysis was conducted to establish the reliability and validity of the REIS. Results The REIS demonstrated reasonable psychometric properties, with items demonstrating internal scale validity and scale items following an expected pattern of increasingly challenging environment support. Conclusions and significance Initial evidence suggests that the REIS provides a valid and reliable measure of environment support, providing a detailed assessment of how physical, social and activity elements of the environment support or inhibit participation and can be applied across a range of living environments.