Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists

CJOT Abstracts
Early Electronic Edition
2007

Table of Contents

Le Profil du Loisir, un instrument prometteur en ergothérapie
doi:10.2182/cjot.07.01
Élisabeth Dutil, Nathalie Bier, Céline Gaudreault
 
Print in October 2007

Evaluation of a teleconference-delivered energy conservation education program for people with Multiple Sclerosis
doi:10.2182/cjot.06.0018
Marcia Finlayson, Christa Holberg

Print in October 2007

Reflections on...a disability methodology for the client-centred practice of occupational therapy research
doi:10.2182/cjot.07.003
Karen Whalley Hammell

Background. Occupational therapists' stated commitments to client-centred practice and to enabling participation in the occupations of daily life are not universally reflected in either the practice or the occupation of occupational therapy research. Nor have the profession's researchers generally engaged with those critiques of their endeavours that have been articulated by disability theorists. Purpose. Because no guidelines exist for the client-centred practice of occupational therapy research this paper draws from the work of disability theorists to sketch a disability methodology: a specific philosophical, political and ethical approach to developing knowledge that is fundamentally concerned with realigning power within the research relationship and throughout the research process. Practice implications. The proposed disability methodology attempts to align the practice of occupational therapy research with the client-centred philosophy underpinning occupational therapy practice and aspires to enable clients' meaningful participation in the occupation of research.

Key words
Research, Disability, Client-centred

Utilisation de la télésurveillance auprès des personnes âgées à domicile : pratiques actuelles et potentielles
doi:10.2182/cjot.07.004
Amélie Caouette, Claude Vincent, Benoit Montreuil

Description. The use of telemonitoring services by elders is increasing.  In this regard, occupational therapists have been recommending emergency call systems linked to a central monitoring system. Objectives. This study sought to document the actual and potential uses of telemonitoring services with an elderly population in a home support context and the impact of these services on occupational therapy practice. Methodology. To meet these objectives, a literature review on telemonitoring practices was completed and results were organized according to the Canadian Model of Occupation Performance. Results. Evidence suggests that new technology and telecommunication is efficacious for monitoring elder's physical and cognitive components, and can have positive impacts on elders' affective component, and social, physical and institutional environment. In regards to monitoring occupations in the home, research and development is promising for personal care such as mobility, sleeping, medication and life routine follow-up. Consequences for the practice. The arrival on the market of new products for telemonitoring services will allow easy and continuous monitoring of elder's progress at home in a non invasive manner, and will enable quick intervention when there is a change in day-to-day occupations.

Key words
Telemonitoring, Emergency call, Home support

Description de la pratique des ergothérapeutes du Québec en salle d’urgence
doi:10.2182/cjot.07.006
Nathalie Veillette, Louise Demers, Élisabeth Dutil

Print in October 2007

Exploring Canadian occupational therapists' understanding of and experiences in community development
doi:10.2182/cjot.07.005
Heidi Lauckner, Wendy Pentland, Margo Paterson

Print in October 2007

Reflections on...well-being and occupational rights
doi:10.2182/cjot.07.007
Karen Whalley Hammell

Background. Although claiming that engagement in occupations influences well-being, the occupational therapy profession has largely failed to acknowledge and address the relationships between well-being, occupation, and human rights. Purpose. This paper supports the premise that the focus of occupational therapy should be on the right of all people to participate in meaningful occupations, and proposes allegiance to occupational rights: the right of all people to engage in meaningful occupations that contribute positively to their own well-being and the well-being of their communities. Practice implications. The connection between well-being and human rights would be made explicit, occupational rights would be recognized as a political issue and the profession's confinement within health-care services would end. This commitment to occupational rights would bring our practice into line with our espoused belief in the relationship between occupation and well-being, and enable us to state, unequivocally, what occupational therapy contributes to humanity.

Key words
Occupation, Human rights, Oppression

Les bénéfices d'une période d'essai en réadaptation pour les personnes à faible potentiel de récupération
doi:10.2182/cjot.07.008
Janick Bisson, Johanne Cantin, Johanne Lambert, Line Beauregard

Background. This article presents the story of a young man who sustained severe limitations following a traumatic brain injury. Considering his very slow recovery rate and a virtual absence of contact with the environment, hopes for rehabilitation were deemed very low. He was nevertheless admitted to a rehabilitation institute for a trial period in November of 2000. Results. This trial revealed potential for rehabilitation and daily treatments were undertaken. This young man left the rehabilitation centre two years later capable of new social participation, including attending an adapted school and even taking small trips. The mobilisation of the rehabilitation team, the financial support of the insurance company, the contribution of assistive devices, the support of those around him, collaborations with his community and above all his own motivation were all factors that played a major role in his rehabilitation. Practice implications. This rehabilitation experience brought the team to reflect on factors that determine rehabilitation potential, the notion of significant progress, as well as concepts of quality of life and social participation.

Key words
Severe traumatic brain injury, Rehabilitation, Social participation, Quality of life