BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://eresearch.qmu.ac.uk/handle/20.500.12289/7261

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Promoting Adolescent Crime Prevention through the Creation of a Gardening Group Delivered as Part of a Diverse Occupational Therapy Student Placement
(Queen Margaret University, 2016)
Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh runs a four-year undergraduate degree programme in occupational therapy, during which time students complete a yearly six to eight week practice placement in various settings. This project will introduce a new placement (known as a 'diverse placement') into a mainstream secondary school in Glasgow. This will involve two third year occupational therapy students working alongside the school-based campus police officer and teaching staff to introduce positive, occupation based interventions to pupils. Occupational therapy interventions can have a positive impact on the lives of children residing in areas of high crime. In addition, certain occupational therapy interventions have been found to positively influence school attendance and the overall well being of young people. Research suggests that participation in gardening can contribute positively to the aforementioned factors, and as such has been selected as an appropriate intervention to be delivered by the occupational therapy students. Over the eight week period the occupational therapy students will work with a small group of pupils referred to them by teaching staff and the campus officer to create a safe, positive garden space within the school grounds. The group will meet twice weekly after school and turn an empty space within the school grounds into a fully functioning, pupil run garden. The occupational therapy students will be supervised by the campus officer, as well as a locally-based qualified community occupational therapist.
Adaptation and Implementation of an Early Intervention Handwriting Programme for Teachers within Mainstream Primary Schools in Scotland.
(Queen Margaret University, 2016)
As handwriting is such a complex skill, children struggle to execute tasks to a high standard due to the number of demanding procedures required in order to succeed in the occupation. This may cause frustration and distress which can affect a child's ability and desire to engage within handwriting tasks. Likewise, this may also cause anxiety for parents and teachers. Despite the high standard of literacy teaching in schools, continuous referrals to occupational therapy are made for children who find handwriting challenging, which highlights a need to implement services in order to overcome these barriers to learning. The Scottish Government strives to tackle these issues within the early years in regards to all aspects of education through the use of policy and legislation. This ensures children of all ages, especially within early years are given the right support and that resources are available to ensure they achieve within future occupations. As a profession, occupational therapists acquire the skills and knowledge to provide individuals from diverse backgrounds with opportunities to engage within meaningful occupations in order to succeed within their daily lives. Paediatric occupational therapists aim to support children in order to maximise their engagement, achievement and independence. Occupational therapists are equipped with the skills and knowledge to support a child, their family, other health professionals and educational staff in order to evaluate the challenges and strengths in a child's daily activities. The programme proposal aims to adapt an existing early intervention handwriting programme that was proved to be successful within United States and deliver it to students aged five to seven within mainstream schools in Scotland. The desire is for the programme to display improvements in handwriting performance and receive positive response from participants involved in order for sustainability in the future.
Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP) for handwriting in children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD).
(Queen Margaret University, 2016)
This paper explores the evidence for using a top down approach: cognitive orientation to daily occupational performance (CO-OP), on handwriting difficulties in children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD). Difficulties in handwriting is one of the top reasons for referral to occupational therapy among school-aged children. If left untreated, it could affect the child's self-esteem, emotional wellbeing and academic performance. Children with DCD are especially predisposed to having handwriting issues as they present with marked impairments in motor performance. Though there may be a number of reasons contributing to handwriting difficulties, this paper looks at handwriting difficulties that are a result of DCD, which affects motor abilities. Traditionally, bottom up approaches have been the main mode of intervention for this population. They are still predominantly being used today despite lack of sufficient evidence to support its efficacy. In recent years, there has been a shift towards top-down approaches such as cognitive strategies. One such example is the CO-OP. Preliminary evidence has found CO-OP to be successful when used on children with DCD. However, more research needs to be done to strengthen the evidence base for such top down approaches. The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of using CO-OP to improve motor performance in children with DCD, using handwriting performance as an indicator for improvement. The findings of this study will better inform our knowledge on the efficacy of CO-OP as a top down approach with regards to the specific outcome of handwriting, and therefore strengthen the evidence base for CO-OP as a treatment protocol for children with DCD.
To identify strategies to support cancer survivors with the re-construction of their occupational being
(Queen Margaret University, 2016)
Advancements in medicine have led to an increase in the number of people surviving cancer. As a result of this progress, there is a greater need to understand the survivorship phase of an individual's journey with cancer to ensure they receive the care and support they need. There is a growing awareness of the multi-faceted impact a cancer diagnosis and treatment has on an individual. This experience not only challenges an individual's physical well-being but also their psychological and social well-being. The survivorship phase of cancer brings its own challenges as an individual is left to deal with the physical effects of treatment and the emotional and psychological trauma of their experience. During this period, individuals may have to adapt their daily routines, prioritise occupations and manage changing roles, to compensate for loss of ability or functioning. This is an extremely individual experience and differs greatly from one survivor to the next. However, there is a need to increase awareness of the broader issues experienced by cancer survivors within health and social care to ensure the correct care and support is available. This thesis will explore the impact of cancer survivorship on an individual's occupational being. A qualitative design will be used to identify the occupational needs of eight cancer survivors. By adapting a participatory action research approach, the researcher aims to identify strategies to support cancer survivors with the re-construction of their occupational being throughout cancer survivorship.
Can a community-based Argentine tango programme increase social participation and quality of life of people with Parkinson's disease?
(Queen Margaret University, 2016)
This paper will systematically explore and identify the current evidence regarding the effectiveness of Argentine tango (AT) dancing as a form of rehabilitation for individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD). PD is a progressive condition of the brain that affects 1 in 500 people. It predominantly manifests through motor symptoms, such as slower movements, tremor and stiffness, but it can also lead to psychological and cognitive difficulties. People with PD often report challenges with participation in daily activities and social interaction. Furthermore, restrictions on participation among people with PD have been linked with decreased overall satisfaction and quality of life (QoL). Therefore, there is an increasing need for non-pharmacological therapies that address both motor and affective difficulties due to this disease. Argentine tango is an improvisational dance that involves complex physical and cognitive decisionmaking, sequences of forward and backward movements, movement with and around others, musical and visual cues and social interaction. Increasing evidence indicates that Argentine tango is a beneficial form of dance for people with PD that can slow disease progression and can improve balance and walking. There is also preliminary research indicating positive effects of tango beyond physical improvements. Tango dancing has been correlated with some improvement in social interaction, activity participation and satisfaction with life in individuals with PD. The proposed research will explore the effectiveness of an eight-month community-based Argentine tango programme on social participation and quality of life of people with PD. It will also evaluate any changes in participants' satisfaction and mood. The researcher will recruit thirty participants from Edinburgh and the surrounding area. Of those, fifteen will receive the tango intervention. It is hoped that this process will generate knowledge and preliminary evidence on the psychosocial and occupational benefits of this intervention.
A proposal for a one-stop programme to support older Singapore residents to transition to retirement.
(Queen Margaret University, 2016)
From an occupational perspective, retirement is one of life's major and important transitions, and affects every day occupational life as one moves from full-time work into a daily life where work no longer dominates. Retirement is often characterised by the process of rebuilding one's occupational identity and competence. Evidence has suggested retirement as either a positive phenomenon with new opportunities and choices or a difficult and disruptive transitional period associated with emotional distress. Laslett theorised that the "Third Age" - which begins at retirement and continues until the onset of disability - offers self-fulfilment, realisation of creative potentials, lifelong learning and service to society. Moreover, in Singapore, there are no programmes or services specifically for older people who are approaching, or new to retirement. Existing retirement schemes focused on the fiscal aspect, and non-fiscal initiatives and plans tend to apply to the general older population, which are not specific to prospective or new retirees. The literature review highlights that retirees only realise the emotional and psychosocial challenges after retirement and reflected that they could have benefitted from better and earlier preparation. Furthermore, retirement preparation and occupational engagement are related to positive occupational adaptions to retirement. Thus, it is an occupational transition which is significant to occupational therapy. Occupational therapists are well-placed to prepare and support older people in occupationally meaningful retirement using a preventative and community-based approach aimed at identifying needs, providing guidance in information gathering, encouraging active decision making and forward planning, and educating about the importance of engagement in occupations. Therefore, this programme development proposal aims to provide a one-stop programme to support older Singapore residents who are approaching retirement or are new retirees to transition to retirement.
An exploration into the perspectives of Occupational Therapists in working with parents who are adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse in Scotland
(Queen Margaret University, 2016)
Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is deemed as a traumatic event for adult survivors. Research has shown that CSA survivors suffer short and long term negative physical and psychological effects and have higher chances of developing psychiatric conditions and behavioural issues. Parenting is found to be one of the interpersonal difficulties faced by CSA survivors. The literature review has shown that parents who have a history of CSA are likely to have low parenting efficacy and poor performance capacity. This may hamper the parenting role and thus affects the child's development and the relationship with the child. The "Recovering Ordinary Lives" strategy recognises that parenting is an important role to form social identity and Scotland's Survivor Scotland Strategy acknowledges that healthcare professionals play an important role in providing support and care planning for adult survivors of CSA. Occupational therapy is a profession that work closely with various client groups to help people maximise their potential and give them a sense of identity. It is noted that occupational therapists in mental health settings were likely to work with CSA survivors. However, there is currently no literature related to the role of occupational therapists working with parents who are CSA survivors in the United Kingdom. Therefore, a research is proposed to fill the gap. A generic qualitative research is proposed to explore the perspectives and experiences of occupational therapists in working with parents who are CSA survivors. Five mental health occupational therapists from five different regions of Scotland will be selected to participate in one-to-one semi-structured interviews. The interviews will be recorded and analysed using thematic analysis. The results of this research may provide more insight into the current practices of occupational therapists working with CSA survivors.
The Development and Implementation of a Volunteer Work Programme for People with Young Onset Dementia to Promote Occupational Participation in Singapore
(Queen Margaret University, 2016)
Dementia is a progressive illness affecting the brain, resulting in impairments in various cognitive functions. It is often accompanied by the deterioration in emotional control and social behaviour. Young onset dementia is typically defined as the onset before the age of 65 years. There have been a three-fold increase in the number of people with young onset dementia in the last five years in Singapore. A review of the literature presented the negative effects of young onset dementia on a person's participation in activities that are meaningful to them as well as their psychosocial wellbeing. In contrast, participation in meaningful activities, specifically volunteer work, has been shown to increase motivation, develop a positive outlook on life and boosts self-esteem. Occupational therapy is a profession that closely collaborates with various client groups to empower them to participate in activities that are personally meaningful. The unique perspectives on a person's meaningful activities and the skills to analyse an activity puts occupational therapists in a prime position to support people with young onset dementia lead fulfilling lives. This proposal outlines a Singapore-based volunteer work programme, 'Manage-a-Garden'. 'Managea- Garden' will support people with young onset dementia participate in meaningful activities. AWWA Dementia Day Care Centre (AWWA DDCC) will partner with Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH) Community Garden to develop this programme. Participants will be recruited from AWWA DDCC and will manage KTPH Community Garden once a week for 24 weeks. They will be buddied with volunteers from KTPH Gardening Club. 'Manage-a-Garden' will be facilitated by a programme leader who is a fully registered occupational therapist employed by AWWA DDCC. It is intended to establish the programme within the KTPH Community Garden to promote its sustainability.
An exploration of environmental risks factors for preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit.
(Queen Margaret University, 2016)
Occupational therapists consider occupation to be tasks and activities a person partakes in e.g. feeding, growing, interacting with parents and sleeping. Occupational therapy works to enable people to engage with their chosen occupations, in doing this they look at the environment that a person is in and how this influences their functioning. This literature review will look at the impact of the environmental factors of light and noise and how these affect preterm infants. The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is a unit for babies that are born prematurely (before 37 weeks) who are often medically unwell with a wide range of complications. In Scotland between 2014/2015, 2510 premature infants were born and required admission to the neonatal intensive care unit.
An exploration into the patient experience of early supported discharge (ESD) after stroke in rural remote Scotland
(Queen Margaret University, 2016)
Stroke can have a significant and lasting impact on the lives of stroke survivors, with approximately 14,300 strokes occurring in Scotland each year. The occurrence of stroke is predicted to increase in the United Kingdom over the coming years. This is due to an aging population, and has resulted in stroke care becoming a priority within government policy. As part of stroke rehabilitation, it is recommended that those who have had a mild to moderate stroke should receive early supported discharge where possible. Early supported discharge facilitates an early discharge from hospital, with continued specialist stroke rehabilitation within the patient's home. Rehabilitation within the patient's home is important as it allows the patient to adapt to their new circumstances in their own environment, and allows challenges to be identified at an earlier point in time. Upon reviewing the literature, there is a lack of research which explores the patient's experience of early supported discharge. There is no literature exploring this experience within rural remote Scottish. There is an estimated 1 million people living in rural remote Scotland, and this context presents unique challenges for health care service provision. Therefore, it is important to explore the patient experience of early supported discharge in this unique context. This may contribute to an understanding of how early supported discharge can be provided effectively within rural remote Scotland. Through an interpretive phenomenological design, this research proposal aims to explore the patient experience of early supported discharge within rural remote Scotland. Semistructured interviews will be used to gain an in depth understanding of this patient experience.
Exploring the Occupational Needs of Well Older Adults in Singapore
(Queen Margaret University, 2016)
Health promotion has for long been considered a sustainable solution to the shifting demographics of an ageing population in Singapore. With increasing cost of healthcare and a lower tax base, government policies are now looking towards a future of Successful and Active ageing to alleviate these growing concerns. As a profession, occupational therapists are equipped with the skills to promote health, and prevent disease and disability through meaningful occupations across the lifespan. However, current evidence show gaps in knowledge regarding the occupational needs of older adults in Singapore, which is essential for the client-centred practice. This study will thus, explore the occupational needs of well older adults using a generic qualitative approach. Semistructured interviews will be employed to understand the relationship between older adults and their need to engage in purposeful occupations. Findings generated from this study will enhance the evidence-based practice of occupational therapy and holds the potential to guide policy makers involving older adults in Singapore.
Exploring the impact of narrative interview participation in individuals with somatoform disorder and medically unexplained symptoms
(Queen Margaret University, 2016)
Within healthcare, there exists a notable number of individuals who are living with functionally hindering symptoms and conditions for which there is no medically identified cause or cure. While these conditions themselves evade observation and measurement, their presence leaves tangible limitations for the individual who experiences them. This may include feelings of guilt, abandonment by the healthcare service and social exclusion. Given these significant consequences, the personal experience of living with these unclear diagnoses is questionned. Narrative interviews, where people are given the opportunity to tell their story, can provide deep, valuable insights into someone's ideas, beliefs and feelings and how they may relate to their health. Therefore, a literature review identifies all narrative studies carried out with those who have medically unexplained symptoms. It is found that the stories people tell about their illness can be a powerful opportunity to reclaim dignity and explanation in light of uncertainty. Previous studies explore the relation of medical unexplained symptoms and events within the individual's life, including traumatic events from their past. The use of language and narrative structure is also considered significant as these are influenced by their surrounding social and cultural structures; for instance, the impact of the medical profession's imposed ideas of health and the impact this can have on patients' expectations. This suggests that the linguistic descriptions of symptoms may be cultural by nature. Overall, while previous narrative studies in this area explore the insights acquired, they have not yet investigated the use of narratives as a means of improving well-being. Given reports of narratives as effective therapeutic tools within other domains, a research study is proposed to explore the benefit narratives may have for those with medically unexplained symptoms. Since no information exists regarding the impact of undertaking a narrative interview, it is suggested that participants are interviewed following the experience. This is in the hope that participants may identify areas of lifestyle and wellbeing that are impacted by telling their story. These findings may then provide the basis for a future study which measures this impact.
A Proposal for the Development of a Dementia Friendly Community Arts Space in Edinburgh
(Queen Margaret University, 2016)
Dementia is one of the biggest global health challenges facing the world today. With an ageing population, the number of people with dementia is rising in Scotland which requires an expansion of dementia services throughout the country. One of the main challenges facing our health and social care system is how to keep people with a diagnosis of dementia in their own homes and a part of the community for as long as possible. Despite facing such a difficult task the Scottish government, National Health Service and organisations such as Alzheimer Scotland are committed to making Scotland a country where people with dementia are included, respected, appreciated, cared for and active within their communities for as long as possible. Current policies and strategies put an emphasis on creating dementia friendly communities through raising local awareness and by making community facilities and services as inclusive as possible. Another emerging form of service for people with dementia is the use of arts and creative activities in group settings to promote wellbeing. A review of the literature surrounding this area found that there is significant evidence to prove that involvement in art and creative activities can increase wellbeing and serve as a valuable form of self-expression for people with dementia. The nature of occupational therapy means that occupations can be used in a variety of ways with any number of client groups, to achieve a wide range of goals such as independence, improved quality of life and social interaction and inclusion. Occupational therapists are therefore well suited to work in community environments, to meet the needs not only of the specified client group but also of the community as a whole. A Dementia Friendly Community Art Space is proposed, which not only aims to increase the wellbeing of those with dementia though participation in the programme, but also to assist in creating a dementia friendly community through raising awareness and providing a space where all are welcome to get involved.
A Proposal for the Development of a Post-Discharge Transition Programme using Skype™ for Individuals with Stroke in Singapore
(Queen Margaret University, 2016)
Transitioning from hospital to home after being diagnosed with a stroke is a challenging period of time. The sudden and unpredictable nature of stroke often causes stroke patients and caregivers to be unprepared to return to daily life. As stroke affects many aspects of an individual, long-term disability is common and rehabilitation is required for most patients. Individuals with stroke commonly identified needs relating to participation in daily occupations at home and in the community. Occupational therapy is a profession that enables individuals to participate in activities of daily living. Despite the availability of outpatient rehabilitation services, lapses in discharge coordination and misconceptions of therapy has led to low utilisation of these services. This is detrimental to the individual with stroke as intensive rehabilitation is recommended during the first six months after a stroke. Currently, there is a lack of programmes for stroke patients in Singapore transitioning from hospitals back to their homes and outpatient rehabilitation. Skype™, an online application used to connect people at different locations through video calls, can be used by occupational therapists based in hospitals to provide transitional support for individuals with stroke at home. The programme development plan outlines the provision of occupational therapy support, through Skype™ video calls for stroke patients and caregivers, during the transition from hospital to outpatient rehabilitation, in Singapore. This aims to improve the transition experience, maximise occupational participation and increase the uptake of outpatient rehabilitation.
An exploration into the cultural negotiations of a Syrian refugee family, as they occur through participation in everyday occupations, in the context of resettling into a Scottish community.
(Queen Margaret University, 2016)
This proposal has explored current literature on the ways in which migrants negotiate cultures in the context of international migration. Migrants often maintain elements of their previous culture by engaging in traditional occupations. Migrants also embrace elements of the new culture in the country they have migrated to, by adopting new occupations, routines and roles. This process requires ongoing negotiation between cultures, and is part of the process in achieving acculturation. Contextual factors play a key role in migrants successfully integrating and acculturating into the new "host" country's lifestyle and culture. These include attitudes of "host" natives and different environments. The literature review highlighted a current lacking of research into refugee's resettlement experiences within a community context, specifically looking at what they do to acculturate and integrate into the "host" society. As a result, the proposed study will aim to explore the cultural negotiations of a refugee family as they occur through participation in occupation. The study will be qualitative and use a focused ethnographic approach. They study will recruit one Syrian refugee family who are resettling into a Scottish community, and use in depth semi-structured interviews and participant observations to collect data. They study will aim to understand how culture is negotiated throughout the family, what the family do to acculturate into the wider society, and the contextual factors which facilitate or hinder successful acculturation. The data will be analysed using a triangulation of methods, and themes will be developed. Respondent validation will be used to confirm the research themes and conclusions. The researcher will use reflexivity throughout to ensure the findings are accurate and unbiased. Respondent validation and reflexivity will ensure rigor.
A Workshop Proposal for Women who have Experienced Domestic Abuse to Promote Mental Well-Being and Occupational Balance
(Queen Margaret University, 2016)
According to 2015 Scottish Government reports, incidents of domestic abuse have risen by 2.5% between 2014 and 2015: 79% are female victims. Abuse within a relationship can come in a variety of forms including physical, financial, emotional and psychological. However all forms appear to have psychological impact upon a woman's life. The impact of domestic abuse remains prevalent after leaving the relationship. Through reviewing the literature to understand the healing experience of domestic abuse, occupational needs of this community were identified. Many women engage in negative coping strategies to 'numb' the pain of the trauma. Through these negative occupations, women's self-worth and identity dissolve: negatively affecting their mental well-being. This has additional implications on their participation in meaningful and active occupations. The review of literature identified support from other domestic abuse survivors to provide a unique and critical contribution to the healing process. This programme development proposes a peer-supported workshop that creates a safe space for individuals to explore their healing experience, learn new occupational skills and coping strategies to enhance mental well-being and occupational balance. Peer-support emphasises mutual experiences to share learnt knowledge, and emotional and practical support. Furthermore, belonging in a group and sharing resources and skills validates and empowers the women during the healing process. An asset-based approach will be used to develop the programme and promote collaboration between the facilitator and participants. The premise of an asset-based approach is to use individuals' and the community's resources and talents to establish a programme: thereby, encouraging community relationship, control and empowerment to achieve well-being. The facilitator anticipates that through connection of a shared experience, participants will learn positive and effective coping strategies and meaningful occupations to manage stressful events and achieve greater well-being.
A proposal for the development of an outdoor adventure-based programme aimed at developing the personal and social skills of 'at-risk' young people.
(Queen Margaret University, 2016)
All young people have the right to transition from childhood to adulthood successfully, however some young people lack the resources to achieve this on their own. Those young people who are less likely to successfully transition into adulthood are often referred to as being 'at-risk'. It is important that those individuals who may be at risk are supported to achieve the necessary personal and social skills for successful development. Young people from low-income households are more likely to be at risk than those from more affluent backgrounds. Leith is a part of Edinburgh that has a significant number of young people living in it, who may be considered at risk. Therefore, this proposal is aimed at individuals living in the Leith area. This programme is developed by an occupational therapy student, with the aim of implementation carried out by a band five occupational therapist. Occupational therapy is a profession that works with a multitude of individuals, groups and communities, concerned with enabling them to flourish. Occupational therapists are skilled in identifying the needs of those they work with, and using occupation-based interventions to address these needs. The occupational therapist will build partnerships with: the YMCA, a local youth centre; young people living in this community; and the Abernethy: Ardeonaig Centre, a facility which carries out outdoor adventure-based activities. A literature review has been carried out to explore the use of outdoor adventure-based programmes with young people. This project outlines a proposal for the development of an outdoor adventure-based programme, aimed at developing the personal and social skills of 'at-risk' young people.
A Phenomenological Study into the experience of being a parent with ADHD, participating in everyday tasks and routines.
(Queen Margaret University, 2016)
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a condition widely recognized in children. In recent years it has been recognized that ADHD continues into adulthood. There are now people being diagnosed with ADHD later in life, often when the condition is identified in their child. Still, there has been very little research completed in this field. Occupational Therapists have worked for many years with children with ADHD. However, this condition presents different challenges in adults than in children and many adults have been left to manage themselves. The literature review showed that parents with ADHD experienced difficulties in their everyday life. The majority of previous literature has been conducted out with the UK from a psychology perspective, however uses occupational therapy terminology. However, In the UK there has been no research to show how this affects their every day life within the realms of occupational therapy. Adults with ADHD often find household chores and sticking to routines difficult. Parents specifically report finding discipline and routine difficult which leads to increased stress. The review concluded, that ADHD may cause difficulties for parents in the UK but it is currently unclear how the conditions affects their parenting as parenting behaviours may differ in the UK. Therefore, this thesis will attempt to explore the experience of parents who have ADHD whilst participating in everyday household tasks and routines. A phenomenological approach will be used to gather a deep understanding of four Scottish parents' experiences. It will look at parents newly diagnosed with ADHD in adult hood. This will be done through a combination of interviews and video-diaries. It is hoped this research will lead the way to wider investigation in the field of Occupational Therapy with a specific focus on Parents.
Establishing a community café for stroke survivors as part of the Edinburgh Community Stroke Service.
(Queen Margaret University, 2017)
This project is a practical project between one student at Queen Margaret University (QMU) and the Edinburgh Community Stroke Service (ECSS), which is part of the Edinburgh Community Rehabilitation and Support Service. The ECSS provide further rehabilitation for stroke survivors after the have been discharged from hospital. ECSS approached QMU about the possibility of setting up a community café within the stroke service, with QMU providing the evidence base in order for this community café to be a success. A level four final year research project was created from this and discussions were held between QMU and ECSS. It was agreed that the student would aim to interview stroke survivors who were currently using or had previously used the service to find out their views on a potential community café. Two focus groups were set up and fifteen stroke survivors were interviewed within these. Overall, the stroke survivors had a very positive view about the community café. They thought that once they were discharged from ECSS then it would be useful to have access to peer support, professional support and the opportunity to learn new skills, to prevent isolation and to help with any problems that they may have. A literature review was also done into peer support and overall it had very positive findings. It suggested that peer support is a cost effective way of providing a service and is also beneficial to the members of these support groups. Once this project is completed, ECSS will be given feedback from the study and recommendations as to how they can continue to set up their community café.
Elderly residents' experiences of using virtual reality headsets in a care home setting; a descriptive phenomenological study
(Queen Margaret University, 2017)
Background. Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy literature has an interest in the meaning and purpose of the occupations people participate in. The recent cost reduction and advancement in virtual reality technology has made it available to many different people of all ages and abilities. Purpose. This proposal will explore the potential benefits virtual reality headsets has for residents living in care homes by investigating residents' experience of this occupation. Following a review of relevant literature, which explored literature in relation to immersive virtual reality for the elderly population it was discovered it would be beneficial for future research to gain an in depth understanding from the perspective of elderly participants themselves. Method. Three participants, all English speaking, adult, limited mobility, referred by care home staff will take part in open ended one on one interviews after experiencing using the VR headset HTC Vive. The interviews will be recorded and transcribed, with descriptive phenomenology used to guide data analysis. Implications. As virtual reality headsets are a new technology this proposal aims to contribute to the knowledge base and inform occupational therapy profession and other professions of the potential value of virtual reality headsets as a meaningful occupation for residents with limited mobility.