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CJOT Abstracts
Volume 72, Number 4
October 2005

Muriel Driver Memorial Lecture

Participation and occupation

Johanne Desrosiers

Key words
Models, theoretical • Participation • Research, rehabilitation

Bridges to Practice
Evaluation of an occupational therapy mentorship programTracy Milner • Ann Bossers

Background. It was identified that there is a lack of evidence for the effectiveness of formal mentorship programs, no evidence supporting mentor groups and little research in mentorship specific to occupational therapy. Purpose. The following quantitative study evaluates the mentorship program offered within the occupational therapy curriculum at The University of Western Ontario. Methods. One hundred and seventy nine surveys were analyzed to evaluate participants' perceptions of the program's strengths, weaknesses, changes needed, effectiveness, and whether it should continue to be offered. Results. In general, mentors and mentees reported that the mentorship program should continue to be offered and that it was effective in developing professionalism. However, the structure of the program, clarification of its requirements, and more support for the mentors were identified as some areas for change. Implications. Results can impact further program development at this university and other occupational therapy programs which may have a similar program or are interested in developing a mentorship program.

Key words
Mentorship • Professional development • Education, occupational therapy

ADL differences in individuals with unilateral hemispheric strokePatricia Rexroth • Anne G. Fisher • Brenda K. Merritt • Jeff Gliner

Background. Literature regarding the ability of individuals who have a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) to perform activities of daily living (ADL) is inconclusive regarding the impact of gender, age or side of the lesion.  Purpose.  To determine if people with a CVA differ in their abilities to perform ADL tasks and actions as affected by their gender, age, and side of the lesion. Method.  A descriptive comparison of 3878 people with a  right or left CVA  included in the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS) database. Results.  People with stroke demonstrated statistically significant gender, age, and side of CVA differences in overall ADL ability. However, the gender and side of CVA differences were not clinically detectable.  Increased age was associated with a gradual decline in ADL ability.  Conclusion.  Individuals with a right or left CVA have similar abilities when performing ADL tasks and actions. Practice Implications. These findings indicate that occupation-based intervention, which focuses on the utilization of intact ADL skills to compensate for ADL skill deficits (vs. the utilization of tests of body function), may be a more efficient and effective means of planning and implementing occupational therapy intervention for individuals with a stroke.

Key words
Cerebral vascular accident • Activities of daily living • Occupational therapy practice, research based

La perception d’efficacité personnelle comme facteur associé à la participation sociale des adultes ayant subi un traumatisme cranio-cérébralClaire Dumont • Marie Gervais • Patrick Fougeyrollas • Richard Bertrand

Background. Identification of the factors facilitating the social participation of adults who have sustained a traumatic brain injury can help occupational therapists with the direction for their interventions. Earlier studies centered on identifying the socio-demographic characteristics and the disabilities associated with social participation. Purpose. The aim of this study was to examine the association between perceived self-efficacy, a positive concept derived from social cognitive theory and social participation. Methods. A cross-sectional and correlational research design was used with 53 adults who sustained a traumatic brain injury between 1995 and 2000 and lived in their natural environment. Two measuring tools were used: a self-administered questionnaire evaluating the perceived self-efficacy and a questionnaire evaluating social participation, administered by an examiner through a face-to-face interview. Results. The results indicate that the perceived self-efficacy explains 40% of the variance of the social participation. Practice Implications. This association suggests that social cognitive theory can constitute a reference model for occupational therapists working with this clientele.

Key words
Perception d’efficacité personnelle • Traumatisme cranio-cérébral • Participation sociale

Background. Occupational therapists have identified barriers to accessing continuing professional education (CPE) in the traditional face-to-face formats. One alternative to traditional, centrally located, face-to-face CPE is course delivery through the Internet. Purpose. This study examined Alberta occupational therapists' perceptions of Internet-based CPE. Method. A questionnaire was mailed to 800 randomly sampled Alberta occupational therapists (response rate = 35.5%; n = 281). Results. Respondents pursued CPE to increase skills, knowledge and maintain clinical competency. They reported that a face-to-face CPE course was more useful than distance courses. Although almost 90% of respondents had access to computers with an Internet connection at home or at work, and nearly 65% thought that their computer knowledge was sufficient, only 2.9% had previously taken Internet-based CPE. Practice Implications. In order for the Internet to be accepted as a common, useful and alternative delivery tool for CPE in occupational therapy, the perceived barriers such as the lack of personal time, cost, and limited interaction with other learners and instructors will need to be addressed.

Key words
Internet • Continuing professional education • Education, occupational therapy

Department  /  Divers

CAOT Position statements 
Health human resources in occupational therapy
Occupational therapy and driver rehabilitation

Book Marks  

Look Beyond
Understanding the Gift of Experience
Sue L. Street

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