Occupational Therapy and Arts Therapies
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://eresearch.qmu.ac.uk/handle/20.500.12289/25
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Item Learn@Lunch: Developing a continuing professional development programme to raise knowledge and awareness of drinking alcohol as an occupation in later life(SAGE Publications, 2024-09-20) Maclean, Fiona; Breckenridge, Jenna P; Schrag, Anthony; Gray, Joanna; McCormack, Brendan; Kantartzis, SarahIntroduction: Occupational therapists in acute practice are increasingly likely to work routinely with people in later life who drink alcohol. Therefore, this knowledge translation study aimed to evaluate the development of a continuing professional development Learn@Lunch programme, designed to enhance awareness and understanding of occupational therapists who work in an acute hospital setting, of drinking alcohol as an occupation in later life. Method: Guided by the Promoting Action of Research Implementation in Health Sciences framework, the continuing professional development programme was developed, and a qualitative evaluation undertaken. This included pre- and post-focus groups with occupational therapists (n = 8) in an acute setting, where the programme was delivered, pre- and post-programme delivery interviews with the research champion recruited from the site, and one interview with the Allied Health Professions Service Lead. Findings: Findings indicate the Learn@Lunch continuing professional development programme enhanced therapist knowledge and understanding of the changing patterns of drinking alcohol in later life. However, practical barriers exist impacting how participants perceived the value and delivery of the programme. Conclusion: Learn@Lunch was an effective continuing professional development programme and supported enhanced knowledge and awareness of drinking alcohol as an occupation in later life, leading to changes in local acute occupational therapy practice.Item Assistive technology: Occupational therapy assessment and services for people with dementia(SAGE, 2024-05-21) Curnow, Eleanor; Maclean, Fiona; McCormack, BrendanIntroduction: Research suggests that services are not effectively providing suitable assistive technology for people with dementia. There is a need to understand the challenges facing practitioners to identify where service changes should be focussed to improve this situation. Method: This study used an online survey to explore the experiences of 41 occupational therapists working with people with dementia, and/or assistive technology. Eight participants subsequently agreed to participate in online discussion groups. Group discussions were transcribed and checked. Data responses from group discussions and open questions in the survey were analysed thematically using the person-centred framework to identify domains supporting or obstructing effective assistive technology service delivery. Results: Forty-one occupational therapist participants described challenges to providing person-centred assistive technology services. These included restricted access to assistive technology interventions, limited knowledge regarding developments in the field, variable funding, unsupportive systems, limited relevant training and difficulties working across health and social care sectors. Conclusion: There is a need to revise the systems surrounding the provision of assistive technology for people with dementia. Occupational therapists need access to training relative to this field, and systems need to be adapted to support the provision of person-centred care by widening access to assistive technology.Item 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, BrendanOlder 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.Item A modified gap analysis designed to generate research priorities in occupational therapy(Occupational Therapy New Zealand - Whakaora Ngangahau Aotearoa, 2019-07) Maclean, Fiona; Kantartzis, Sarah; McCormack, Brendan; Pentland, DuncanWhere a limited body of evidence exists the traditional mechanisms of a literature or systematic review, which are often used to establish research gaps and priorities, can be problematic. This is especially the case in occupational therapy where evidence to guide future research directions can be sparse. A gap analysis of existing literature is one way to inform future research planning. This paper aims to describe a modified version of gap analysis specifically designed to identify research priorities in occupational therapy. This is illustrated using a small, disparate body of pre-existing, published work that explored practitioner knowledge of drinking alcohol in later life.Item Occupational Therapy graduates of 2009; knowledge and attitudes relating to their role in the area of alcohol misuse.(College of Occupational Therapists, 2011-04) Gill, Jan; Maclean, Fiona; Renton, Linda; O'May, FionaPurpose: Within Scotland, health policy changes are being considered to address the misuse of alcohol. Concurrently, a shifting of professional roles within the National Health Service is under way. The purpose of the study was to investigate personal knowledge and attitudes relating to alcohol use/misuse amongst all final year Scottish occupational therapy students. Procedure: A self-completed questionnaire was developed for delivery in spring 2009 within scheduled lectures to students (n = 161) at all three Scottish universities providing occupational therapy education. Findings: Of those in class, 93% (n = 109) provided completed questionnaires. There was evidence of gaps in knowledge around the understanding and application of United Kingdom responsible drinking guidelines; however, students reported confidence in their professional and personal ability to act effectively in this area of clinical practice. There was a distinct lack of congruence with key proposals put forward by the Scottish Government to address alcohol misuse. Conclusion: Identified knowledge gaps have implications for the alcohol teaching content of the curriculum in Scotland. Additionally, while investigation of student attitudes revealed a self-belief in personal and professional skills, the findings nevertheless stress a need to ensure that the potential value of occupational therapists’ contribution is more effectively communicated to their health professional colleague.Item 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, JennaIntroduction: 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.Item The topic of alcohol within the Scottish occupational therapy curricula(College of Occupational Therapists, 2014-04) Maclean, Fiona; O'May, Fiona; Gill, JanPurpose: Scotland has witnessed a large rise in all types of alcohol-related illnesses and death, with societal costs associated with drinking estimated to be 3.6 billion pounds per annum. Despite this escalating problem, previous research in Scotland has demonstrated that gaps exist in the knowledge base of graduate occupational therapists. This study therefore aimed to document the content of alcohol in Scottish occupational therapy curricula. Procedure: This study was conducted during 2010/11 and a questionnaire was sent to the programme leader of all the Scottish Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) offering undergraduate BSc (Hons) courses in occupational therapy, and the only Further Education College (FEI) in Scotland offering a Higher National Certificate (HNC) in occupational therapy. The response rate was 100%. Findings: There is a lack of cohesive approach to alcohol misuse education within the occupational therapy curricula delivered in Scotland. Key proposals of the Scottish Government targeting alcohol misuse are inadequately addressed. Conclusions: The topic of alcohol and alcohol misuse is taught to varying degrees within the curricula offered in Scotland and further emphasis needs to be placed on understanding alcohol misuse and associated potential interventions, irrespective of practice context.Item Internships: Connecting Occupational Therapy Education, Dementia Policy and Practice(College of Occupational Therapists, 2014) McMillan, Ian R.; Maclean, Fiona; Hunter, E.; Renton, LindaItem Integrating theory into occupational therapy practice; a joint venture academics/occupational therapists(The College of Occupational Therapists, 2012-08) Renton, Linda; Maclean, Fiona; McMillan, Ian R.Item Understanding Twitter(College of Occupational Therapists, 2013-06-17) Maclean, Fiona; Jones, Derek; Carin-Levy, Gail; Hunter, HeatherThis opinion piece introduces, defines and considers the application of Twitter within occupational therapy research and education. It defines what this social networking tool is and examines its potential for use in occupational therapy education, its use by students and within research. It raises critical issues that the profession must address in relation to the responsible use of Twitter. This opinion piece strongly advocates for the use of Twitter, as a form of social media that needs to be better used and understood by educators, researchers and practitioners within occupational therapy.