ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to examine the factors influencing fieldwork educators' ability and willingness to supervise Level II occupational therapy students in hospital-based settings. Qualitative focus groups were used to explore the perceptions of occupational therapists in four urban hospitals in Nebraska. The study presents the issues facing fieldwork supervisors and their s...

This paper introduces the Capital Area Treatment Rating (CATR) being developed by the occupational and physical therapists of the Capital Area Intermediate Unit in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. This rating assists therapists in identifying children in special education who require occupational or physical therapy treatment. The CATR consists of two measurement categories - functional levels and cli...

Occupational therapists, as well as other rehabilitation professionals, are aware that sexuality counseling is an important aspect of rehabilitation. However, occupational therapists have limited resources within their profession for training in this area. This paper describes the development, philosophy, goals, objectives, and format of the module "Sexuality and Disability" offered to occupati...

Persons experiencing problems with adaptation following disease, disability, or overwhelming life circumstances are often referred by their physicians to occupational therapists. Given time constraints, therapists may skip administration of a client-centered participation focused assessment and instead use an impairment or limitation focused assessment. This approach assumes that skill remediat...

BACKGROUND There is a pressing need for occupational therapists to provide research-based practice, yet there is little understanding of the specific strategies and processes individual practitioners use to integrate research evidence into their clinical practice. METHOD Using grounded theory method, the self-reported research utilization strategies of a sample of 11 elite occupational therap...

Occupational therapists hold, at the core of their philosophy, the belief that activity can be used to work towards an improved quality of life, despite any disability (Yerxa 1983). According to Coia and Joice (1989), the ability to use activity as a treatment medium is unique to occupational therapists and vital in recovery in mental health. The recreational therapy hall offered the only widel...

The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) operates the largest integrated health care system in the world (VA, 1989), with designated departments and programs designed to meet the long-term care needs of the aging veteran. Occupational therapy is an important intervention to maximize the quality of life of older persons. Because of the increasing number of aging veterans and the national shortage ...

When occupational therapists assess function or occupational performance, they must consider each person's unique needs and abilities, as well as the environmental and social factors that may be affecting the clients' performance. Therefore, occupational therapists must use evaluation tools that are individualized and sensitive to the clients' varying needs and situations. One approach to indiv...

Facilities variously known as independent living centers, disabled living centers, disability information centers, and resource centers now exist in many parts of the world. Although occupational therapists offer valuable perspectives on quality of life, knowledge of assistive technology, and a holistic view of clients' needs, occupational therapy is not always a part of these centers. Occupati...

An important objective of occupational therapy practice is to maximise functional potential in patients who have physical disabilities. Pressure sores are a major complication in the medical course of these individuals. Therefore, prevention, or at least the proper management, of these sores becomes an important focus for occupational therapists who treat the physically disabled patient. Occupa...