Research Articles (Occupational Therapy)
http://hdl.handle.net/2263/21900
2024-03-29T07:22:39ZAssessing work speed using MODAPTS : a tool for occupational therapists
http://hdl.handle.net/2263/93923
Assessing work speed using MODAPTS : a tool for occupational therapists
Harmse, Suzanne; Buys, Tania; Claassen, Nico
BACKGROUND : The importance to be able to work is recognised as one of the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals. Occupational therapists working in vocational rehabilitation require cost effective, valid, and reliable tests that offer flexibility during the work evaluation process. The use of self-developed work samples standardized using Modular Arrangement of Predetermined Time Standards (MODAPTS) as an objective measure of work speed could meet this need.
OBJECTIVE : Evaluate the face, content, and criterion validity of MODAPTS work samples to assess work speed.
METHODS : We conducted a quantitative cross-sectional, descriptive study. Occupational therapists completed electronic surveys to evaluate face and content validity. We evaluated criterion validity during a multiphase process that involved a realist synthesis, online survey, and comparing MODAPTS to Methods Time Management (MTM) time standards using three work samples that measured work speed.
RESULTS : MODAPTS had good face validity for measuring work speed. We also confirmed the content and criterion validity of codes used to analyse basic movement and handling of smaller and larger articles as well as other body actions.
CONCLUSION : MODAPTS demonstrated adequate face, content and criterion validity of tasks involving basic movements, handling of articles and other body actions.
2023-11-01T00:00:00ZPerspectives of rehabilitation professionals on assistive technology provision to young children in South Africa : a national survey
http://hdl.handle.net/2263/93915
Perspectives of rehabilitation professionals on assistive technology provision to young children in South Africa : a national survey
Van Niekerk, Karin; Dada, Shakila; Tonsing, Kerstin Monika
PURPOSE : Various factors influence the selection of assistive technology for young children within a context with limited resources, such as South Africa. Rehabilitation professionals are required to weigh up different factors as part of their professional reasoning process when making assistive technology (AT) selections. Insight into the perceived influence of different factors may assist in understanding how professionals make decisions about AT in this context.
MATERIALS AND METHODS : An online survey with questions designed using best–worst scaling was distributed to rehabilitation professionals throughout South Africa. Factors influencing assistive technology selection included in the best–worst survey were identified in previous phases of a larger project. A total of n = 451 rehabilitation professionals completed the survey by selecting the factors that were most and least influential on their assistive technology provision.
RESULTS : Results of the survey were obtained by calculating the number of times each factor was selected as most influential across the entire sample, and across all questions, enabling the researchers to sort the items in terms of the frequency of selection.
CONCLUSIONS : Even though the rehabilitation professionals that participated in the study provide services in a context with limited resources, assessment and factors pertaining to the assistive technology itself were generally perceived to be of greater influence than environmental factors. It is recommended that these factors be reflected in frameworks and models of AT selection.
IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION : The family’s ability to support the implementation of AT is an important resource that is perceived to influence the selection of AT by an RP.
Insight into the mind-set of professionals that are used to selecting AT within settings with limited resources may provide RPs in well-resourced contexts with guidance on how to do more, with less.
RPs should aim to determine child preference and attitude towards AT during the AT selection process.
RPs should be aware of their own influence on AT selection. Existing AT Selection models should be adapted to clearly reflect the influence of the recommending professional.
2023-01-01T00:00:00ZInvestigating the influence of the properties of school uniforms on children with sensory overreactivity
http://hdl.handle.net/2263/93389
Investigating the influence of the properties of school uniforms on children with sensory overreactivity
Jordaan, Wenette; Diedericks, Lizette; Van Niekerk, Karin; Kruger, Stefanie Marguerite
This study aimed to deepen the understanding of the influence of the properties of school uniforms that may contribute to discomfort and irritation for children with sensory overreactivity. The specific objectives were (a) to identify the difficulties that children with sensory overreactivity experience when wearing a school uniform and (b) explore possible adaptations of the school uniform that can reduce the discomfort and irritation caused by the uniform. In this exploratory, qualitative study, four focus group interviews were conducted with a total sample of 16 participants. Mothers and occupational therapists that live and work with children with sensory overreactivity participated in this study. During thematic analysis, three themes emerged as important to understand the discomfort caused by a school uniform: textiles, design, and construction. This study contributes to the literature on school uniforms and the sensory aspects of clothing. Guidelines for parents are presented and future research possibilities are discussed.
2023-01-01T00:00:00ZA qualitative study of occupational therapists’ understanding of spirituality in South Africa
http://hdl.handle.net/2263/93200
A qualitative study of occupational therapists’ understanding of spirituality in South Africa
Balbadhur, Raashmi; Rudman, Elsje; Janse van Rensburg, Michelle Nedine Schorn; Heyns, Tanya
Occupational therapy is a holistic profession that assists clients to restore meaning to their lives—a vital spiritual task. Spirituality is a multifaceted and multidimensional construct that occupational therapists need to integrate into everyday practice. In this study, Occupational Therapy educators’ and clinicians’ understanding of spirituality in their practice was qualitatively explored by purposively selecting 24 participants who attended a workshop based on an appreciative approach, in Gauteng, South Africa. Data were collected through self-report interview schedules and focus group inquiries and were analysed using the creative hermeneutic method. Participants expressed spirituality in occupational therapy as connectedness, meaning of life and client-centred practice.
2023-04-01T00:00:00Z