Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists

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CJOT Abstracts

Volume 77, Number 3

June 2010

Table of Contents

From the Editor
The entire history of CJOT is now electronic 
Marcia L. Finlayson

1000 fieldwork hours: Analysis of multi-site evidence
Jeffrey D. Holmes, Ann M. Bossers, Helene J. Polatajko, Donna P. Drynan, Mary Beth Gallagher, Clare M. O’Sullivan, Anita L. Slade, Jill Stier, Caroline A. Storr, Julie L. Denney

Background. Internationally, the World Federation of Occupational Therapists has established a minimum of 1,000 hours as the fieldwork standard. Purpose. To examine student development in fieldwork across placements to determine if students achieve entry-level competence after completion of 1,000 hours of fieldwork. Methods. Archival data (N=400) from six occupational therapy programs were analyzed to examine the acquisition of fieldwork competency over time as measured by the Competency Based Fieldwork Evaluation Scale. Findings. Competency scores increased with each fieldwork placement, the majority of students achieved entry-level scores upon completion of their final fieldwork placement. While, on average, some competency scores exceeded entry level by 1,000 hours, Practice Knowledge, Clinical Reasoning, and Facilitating Change fell just short. Implications. The identification of a plan for addressing the lower ratings in these three competencies should be considered.
Key words
Clinical Competence, Education, competency based, Fieldwork, Occupational Therapy

Supporting (re) entry to professional practice: The SEPP project
Susan E. Baptiste, Paulette Blais, Christine L. Brenchley, Dorianne E. Sauve, Patricia A.  McMahon, Usha Rangachari

Background. During the past decade, there has been an increasing awareness of the challenges affecting internationally educated professionals seeking registration in Canada. Purpose. To describe a project designed to support entry or re-entry to active practice for occupational therapists and physiotherapists who were internationally educated or seeking a return to practice after a prolonged absence. Methods. The major objectives of the project were to develop and evaluate a mentoring network model to support therapists entering or re-entering professional practice in Ontario. Online and other resources were used to enhance professional knowledge and build mentored networks. Supervised placement opportunities were also sought for many participants to meet their learning and integration needs. Results. The project achieved its major objectives and highlighted the challenges faced by individuals seeking to (re)enter professional practice in Ontario.
Implications. Project outcomes have wide applications across many health professions.
Key words
Job re-entry, Occupational therapy, Physical therapy, Professional practice, Refresher courses

Analyzing the barriers and supports of knowledge translation using the PEO model
Megan J. Metzler, Gerlinde A. Metz

Background. Knowledge translation is a current and growing force in Canada’s health care environment. Purpose. The intent of this paper is to examine current research related to barriers and facilitators of knowledge translation relevant to occupational therapy from the perspective of the person-environment-occupation (PEO) model. Key Issues. Minimum competency and best practice are established drivers of research use in occupational therapy. Knowledge translation is not only complementary to these established drivers but offers a valuable contribution to the profession. Current research offers insight into the facilitators and obstacles of knowledge translation in occupational therapy, and the PEO model provides a framework for this analysis. Implications. Several influences across different levels of the practice system may facilitate or hinder knowledge translation. Awareness of the current research related to these influences, in concert with an awareness of individual circumstances, is an essential precursor to developing more effective knowledge translation strategies.
Key words
Knowledge Translation, Occupational Therapy, Research Utilization, Systems Theory

Validation française de questionnaires de participation sociale auprès d’aînés en situation d’incapacités
Valérie Poulin, Johanne Desrosiers

Context. In order to create a full profile of seniors with disabilities it is useful to include an evaluation of their social participation. However, only few questionnaires that take this concept into account are available in French. Purpose. The study aimed at translating the Participation Measure for Post-Acute Care (PM-PAC) questionnaire and the Impact on Participation and Autonomy Questionnaire (IPAQ) followed by an evaluation of their test-retest reliability and their convergent validity by comparing them with the Mesure des habitudes de vie (MHAVIE) questionnaire. Methodology. Thirty seniors with physical disabilities completed the three questionnaires twice. Results. The test-retest reliability of the total francophone score of the IPAQ version (inter-class correlation coefficient (ICC): 0.86) and of the PM-PAC (CCI: 0.90) is significant. The total participation scores in the three questionnaires are moderately correlated (rs: 0.53 to 0.64). Consequences for practical work. The study gives francophone clinical occupational therapists and researchers two valid new tools for evaluating social participation.
Key words
Aged, Disabled, French validation, Questionnaires, Social participation

Clinical utility of the Chedoke Arm and Hand Activity Inventory for stroke rehabilitation
Louise A. Gustafsson, Merrill J. Turpin, Caitlin M. Dorman

Background. The Chedoke Arm and Hand Activity Inventory (CAHAI) is an outcome measure that assesses upper limb ability after stroke. Purpose. To explore the clinical utility of the CAHAI when used by occupational therapists in stroke rehabilitation. Methods. A qualitative study consisting of two focus groups was conducted with occupational therapists (Group A: n = 8; Group B: n = 5). Data were analysed inductively to identify themes. Findings. A range of perspectives on the clinical utility of the CAHAI were described. Themes that emerged were “instructions ambiguous and scoring unclear,” “how we use it,” “whole task versus motor components,” “knowing when to use it,” “detecting other impairments,” and “changing the way
clients do tasks.” Implications. The clinical application of the CAHAI may be influenced by occupational therapy values, differences in training procedures, and organisational barriers. Training and strategies to address these issues may be beneficial.
Key words
Clinical effectiveness, Patient assessment, Stroke, Upper extremity

Piloting a points-based caseload measure for community based paediatric occupational and physiotherapists
Kathy F. Davidson, Sandra I. Bressler

Background. Caseload guidelines and workload management are important issues in recruitment and retention of paediatric rehabilitation therapists. Purpose. This study developed and piloted a points-based caseload questionnaire for paediatric occupational and physiotherapists. Methods. Therapists completed the pilot caseload measure and participated in teleconference focus groups to share their experiences and opinions. Analysis was through descriptive statistics and qualitative analysis. Findings. The data suggested links between caseload point size and various factors such as years of experience, manageability, and client maturity. Focus group feedback supported the use of points rather than numbers as a caseload measure. Participants suggested various uses for the measure and changes to improve ease and consistency in completion. Implications. This caseload measure holds promise, following ongoing research, as a method to standardize caseloads across paediatric settings. As is, it can be used within agencies or by individual therapists seeking a tool of self-reflection and of workload measure.
Key words
Occupational therapy, Physical therapy, Rehabilitation, pediatric, Workload, Workload measurement

Mothering occupations when parenting children with feeding concerns: A mixed methods study
Kristin A. Winston, Sandra B. Dunbar, Carol N. Reed, Elizabeth Francis-Connolly

Background. The occupations of mothering have gained attention in occupation-based research and literature; however, many aspects of mothering remain unexplored. Purpose. The purpose of this study was to gain insight into mothers’ perceptions of their occupations when mothering a child with feeding difficulties. Methods. Study design used mixed methodology utilizing the Parental Stress Scale (PSS), Life Satisfaction Index for Parents (LSI-P), and phenomenological interviews. Findings. Comparison of the datasets illuminated the quantitative findings with the words of the women interviewed. Although there was only one statistically
significant finding in the quantitative data in terms of satisfaction with leisure and recreation, the qualitative data provided rich descriptions of mothers’ perceptions of stress and life satisfaction. Implications. Mixed methods data analysis revealed the complex nature of the interaction between mothering occupations and mothering a child with feeding concerns as well as how these concerns might influence occupational therapy practice.
Key words
Eating behavior, Mothers, Multimethod studies, Personal satisfaction, Stress

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