Explore the selected list of Occupational Therapy and related journals available at medical library both in print and online. If you are searching for a specific title, it's recommended that you search the "NYIT Journal Locator".
Art as an Intervention for Healing and EmpowermentThis link opens in a new windowKomal Patel, an occupational therapist and artist residing in New Jersey, USA, provided the cover art for the Fall 2024 issue of the Open Journal of Occupational Therapy (OJOT). “Emotions” is a piece made from acrylic on canvas that depicts the emotional complexities the human mind goes through during a person’s experience or stage of life. The inspiration comes from her personal journey of moving to the United States from India and the emotional turbulence, both negative and positive, she experienced. Art has become part of the healing story for herself and others. She shares how incorporating this intervention leads to improvement in physical, emotional, and social outcomes close to the individual but also for society.Oct 15, 2024
Preventing Musculoskeletal Disorders in Navajo WeaversThis link opens in a new windowThe Navajo Nation is one of the many reservations that lack access to health care services, leading to increasing chronic health conditions. Navajo rug weaving is a common creative occupation on the reservation. Navajo rug weaving involves multiple steps in creating a beautiful rug. The multiple steps include repetitive gripping, pinching, reaching, pulling, and prolonged sitting. Therefore, weavers are at risk for developing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), preventing individuals from participating in meaningful occupations. Occupational therapists have the skills to provide appropriate education through active listening, visual handouts, and family members. However, occupational therapists must demonstrate and understand cultural sensitivity to address cultural occupations. This article will provide strategies for modeling understanding of the Navajo people, Diné, and rug weaving.Oct 15, 2024
Social and Environmental Determinants of Occupation and the Need for an Intersectional Approach to Culturally Meaningful PracticeThis link opens in a new windowTo provide culturally-centered care to clients and develop interventions that meet the client’s holistic needs, occupational therapists need to consider social and physical environments affecting participation in culturally meaningful occupations. Using a case study, this paper describes the use of the concept of social and environmental determinants of occupation (SEDO) as a necessary strategy to incorporate in clinical practice to determine how SEDO intersect, resulting in occupational justices/injustices that influence access to participation. SEDO are defined as broad (and intersecting) social and environmental factors that increase or limit an individual, community, or population’s ability to participate in culturally meaningful occupations of their choice. This information can then be used to develop strategies that more holistically address the SEDO experienced by our clients. The SEDO process refocuses research and practice with more inclusive attention to how these intersecting factors influence the client’s ability to access culturally meaningful occupations, provide opportunities for advocacy and empowerment, and better address the needs of our clients. The SEDO strategy can provide data for development of more holistic client-centered interventions.Oct 15, 2024
Moving Toward Neurodiversity-Affirming Occupational Therapy for Autistic People: Key Questions and Next StepsThis link opens in a new windowWith the rise in popularity of neurodiversity-affirming practices in occupational therapy, specifically with the autistic population, there is a need to establish a more robust theoretical underpinning for this work. A neurodiversity framework is different from the prevailing medical model that informs current practice in much of Westernized health care, and interested occupational therapists are now asking questions about how to apply it to their work. Occupational science is well-suited to generate research outside the medical model that can serve as a basic science foundation to inform practice. The purpose of this Opinions in the Profession paper is to suggest three needed areas of research in occupational science, to address occupational therapists’ unanswered questions regarding (a) autistics’ preferred methods of participation, (b) experiences of occupational injustice, and (c) the impact of autistic neurology on occupational engagement. These opinions are based on our experiences as both autistic and non-autistic occupational scientists and occupational therapists working with the autistic population. While these are not comprehensive, they serve as a starting point for identifying opportunities to move the profession toward neurodiversity-affirming standards of care. As we move forward, we stress the need to continue prioritizing research based on autistic input and under autistic leadership.Oct 15, 2024
Teaching Occupational Adaptation Using Constructs of the ModelThis link opens in a new windowBackground. Quality, evidence-based health care practice and research is guided by theory; therefore, theory should be one of the first courses in health care professional curriculums. Signature andragogical methods of case-based learning, small and large group discussion, active learning, and self-reflection developed the teaching and learning activities to teach the occupational adaptation (OA) model in this study.
Methods. A mixed-methods design of qualitative open-ended questions and quantitative survey were used to measure student understanding and application of theoretical concepts. The lab assignment integrated andragogical methods, the use of the Relative Mastery Measurement Scale (RMMS) for individual and social adaptation, and further reflection of the benefits of the lecture.
Results. Fifty-four occupational therapy doctoral students participated in the study. Themes related to the student experience and understanding. On the exam, more than 80% of students identified applicable uses of OA to case scenarios. An average of 74.4% was determined for correct responses to those five questions. The discrimination index was averaged for those five questions, resulting in a +0.28.
Conclusion. This paper describes how one entry-level doctoral occupational therapy program teaches OA using evidence-based teaching methods. Student feedback and learning for this course was positive.Oct 15, 2024
‘What does “remaining living at home” really mean?’ Stakeholders’ perspectives on everyday difficulties among older people with chronic conditionsThis link opens in a new windowBritish Journal of Occupational Therapy, Ahead of Print. <br/>Introduction:Older people with chronic conditions prioritize living arrangements that let them maintain their autonomy. However, many face activity limitations and participation restrictions. Stakeholders involved in their health and social care have a unique perspective on these challenges. The aim of this study was to examine how these stakeholders view the difficulties older people with chronic conditions living at home face in their everyday lives.Method:We conducted a qualitative descriptive study based on a focus group interview with eight stakeholders involved in health care, social care and housing for older people with chronic conditions. We transcribed the interview verbatim and analysed it using thematic analysis.Findings:We generated four themes: fear of losing autonomy, inequality along socio-economic lines, persisting and new barriers, and ‘what does “remaining living at home” really mean?’. Participants problematized the lack of awareness among key stakeholders for older people’s needs and limited housing options beyond the dichotomous choice between ageing at home and in a care home.Conclusion:Acknowledging diverse factors – fear of losing autonomy, socio-economic situation, limited awareness of key stakeholders, physical and other barriers, societal discourses – shaping older peoples’ choices regarding their living arrangements informs how occupational therapists can support them.Dec 20, 2024
Early career occupational therapists’ perceptions of occupational justice in practice in SingaporeThis link opens in a new windowBritish Journal of Occupational Therapy, Ahead of Print. <br/>Introduction:Occupational justice addresses social, political and economic factors influencing occupational participation as a human right. Implementing occupational justice is challenging due to institutional, personal, environmental and cultural barriers, and may be further complicated in non-Western contexts. Early career occupational therapists often struggle to apply these principles while transitioning from education to practice, despite their desire to advocate for justice-focused practices.Methods:This qualitative descriptive study, grounded in social constructivism, explored the experiences of early career occupational therapists applying occupational justice in Singapore. Using snowball sampling of 2020 and 2021 graduates, participants engaged in one-time semi-structured interviews, which were transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed.Findings:Of 140 potential participants, 10 responded and completed the study. Four themes were developed: (1) Feeling uncertain about occupational justice, (2) Perceived relevance in the Singaporean context, (3) Early career challenges and (4) Aspiration to be agents of change.Conclusion:Early career occupational therapists expressed uncertainty in applying occupational justice concepts, often confusing them with occupation-centred practice. Despite recognising individual influences, they felt ill-prepared to tackle systemic barriers and advocate for broader social change. However, participants were aware and willing to support occupational justice ideals, suggesting a need for more guidance to integrate individual therapeutic goals with societal advocacy.Dec 16, 2024
Occupational therapy in pain management: An exploration and description of current UK practiceThis link opens in a new windowBritish Journal of Occupational Therapy, Ahead of Print. <br/>Introduction:There is a growing body of evidence regarding the contribution to the management of chronic pain by occupational therapists. However, there is limited research available regarding contemporary practice in the United Kingdom (UK).Method:An on-line questionnaire was circulated via social media, profession specific publications and specialist interest groups. Responses were requested from UK-based Health and Care Professions Council registered occupational therapists who identified working with those living with chronic pain and their friends, family and supporters.Findings:A total of 26 occupational therapists responded. Occupational therapists are working in diverse service settings, offering a range of interventions and recognised the unique contribution by occupational therapists to this area of practice. Perceived barriers to delivering intervention included staffing levels, understanding of the occupational therapists’ role and suggestions for additional interventions were stated.Conclusion:This research increases understanding of UK-based occupational therapist’s current practice in pain management and views of their role. It provides considerations for further research including how to increase awareness of occupational therapy’s contribution to this area of practice, exploring the occupational needs of individuals and those of friends, family and supporters to ensure intervention is designed to best meet the needs of this population.Dec 3, 2024
Efficacy of telerehabilitation in inpatients with stroke: A pilot randomized controlled trialThis link opens in a new windowBritish Journal of Occupational Therapy, Ahead of Print. <br/>Background:Telerehabilitation could be a substitution for regular rehabilitation in an epidemic situation. Furthermore, there is no evidence of the effectiveness of telerehabilitation in stroke inpatients.Objectives:To assess the effects of telerehabilitation on daily life function, mobility, and quality of life in stroke inpatients.Methodology:Inpatients with stroke were randomly assigned to either the telerehabilitation group (n = 12) or the control group (n = 12) for 10 treatment sessions.Results:No significant differences were found in the outcome measures. However, both groups showed significant improvements in the Modified Barthel Index and Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke scores. The telerehabilitation group improved in Functional Ambulation Categories scores, while the control group showed improvement in Patient Health Questionnaire-9 scores.Conclusion:This pilot study suggests that telerehabilitation may be a feasible alternative during the pandemic. However, due to the small sample size and the potential influence of natural recovery, the findings remain preliminary. Larger studies are necessary to more definitively assess the effectiveness of telerehabilitation compared to conventional rehabilitation.Dec 2, 2024