Perceptions of Occupational Therapy Educators about the Educational Preparation of Occupational Therapists for Designation as Qualified Mental Health Professionals.

This study investigated educators' perspectives on whether occupational therapists were educationally prepared for designation as Qualified Mental Health Professionals (QMHPs) using a cross-sectional survey design followed by interviews to gather qualitative data. Fifty-two educators responded to an electronic survey questionnaire. Six of the 52 participants volunteered for follow-up interviews. Most educators (64.58%) thought that occupational therapists were prepared for designation as QMHPs (p=.04). Interview data indicated that educational programs prepared students for psychosocial practice using various content delivery methods. Occupational therapists need to advocate for recognition as significant contributors to the treatment of people with mental health challenges.

Persons With Dementia and Their Caregivers' Perceptions About Occupational Therapy and Telehealth: A Qualitative Descriptive Study.

Occupational therapy (OT) services provided in the home to a person with dementia can decrease caregiver burden by targeting home modifications, functional performance, and safety. One method to deliver these services is through telehealth. The use of telehealth is expanding rapidly, but there is a current lack of evidence to support the use of telehealth to deliver OT services to persons with dementia. The purpose of this study was to identify the perceptions of persons with dementia and their caregivers about the use of telehealth to receive OT services. A qualitative descriptive design was used. Results provided themes in three domains: dementia journey, skills for technology use, and perceptions of OT. Each participant identified a unique journey through awareness, challenges, and adaptive strategies as they adjusted to a life with dementia. The skills for technology focused on current usage and perceptions about technology. Participants had limited knowledge of OT but did appreciate the role it has in dementia care. The themes identified in the study provide support for further exploration of the use of telehealth in OT for persons with dementia and their caregivers.

Clinical Effectiveness of Occupational Therapy in Mental Health: A Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to estimate the effectiveness of theory-based occupational therapy interventions in improving occupational performance and well-being among people with a mental health diagnosis. METHOD: The meta-analysis included 11 randomized controlled trials with a total of 520 adult participants with a mental health diagnosis. Outcomes were occupational performance, well-being, or both. We conducted meta-analyses using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software (Version 3.0) with occupational performance and well-being as the dependent variables. RESULTS: Results indicated a medium effect of intervention on improving occupational performance (mean Hedge's g = 0.50, Z = 4.05, p < .001) and a small effect on well-being (mean Hedge's g = 0.46, Z = 4.96, p < .001). CONCLUSION: Theory-based occupational therapy interventions may be effective in improving occupational performance and well-being among people with a mental health diagnosis and should be an integral part of rehabilitation services in mental health.

Empowering people to change occupational behaviours to address critical global issues.

BACKGROUND: The greatest threat to human well-being in this century is climate change and related global issues. PURPOSE: We examined the effectiveness of the Modified Instrumentalism in Occupational Therapy model as a framework for facilitating occupational behaviour change to address climate change and related issues. METHOD: Eleven individuals participated in this mixed-methods single-subject-design study. Data were gathered using the Modified Assessment and Intervention Instrument for Instrumentalism in Occupational Therapy and Daily Occupational Inventories. Quantitative data were analyzed using two- and three-standard deviation band methods. Qualitative data were analyzed using heuristic phenomenological procedures. FINDINGS: Occupational performance changed for five participants. Participants' feelings shifted from frustration and helplessness to empowerment and a desire for action. They felt empowered to find occupation-based solutions to the global issues. IMPLICATIONS: Occupation-based interventions that increase personal awareness of the connection between occupational performance and global issues could empower people to be agents for action to ameliorate the issues.

A comparison of the Sensory Profile scores of children with autism and an age- and gender-matched sample.

BACKGROUND: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects one in 88 children in the United States. The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) defines ASD as a pervasive neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by qualitative impairment in communication and social interaction, and restricted, repetitive and stereotyped behavior patterns. The purpose of this study was to determine whether children with autism differ in their response to sensory input relative to typically developing age- and gender-matched peers. METHOD: The Sensory Profile (SP) is a 125-item caregiver questionnaire designed to measure a child's ability to process sensory information and to profile the effect of sensory processing on daily life activity. The results of the SP of 21 participants with autism ages 3 to 9 years were compared with an age- and gender-matched sample of typically developing children. RESULTS: Significant differences were found across all four SP quadrants (Registration, Seeking, Sensitivity, and Avoiding) as well as eight of the nine SP factor scores. This study adds to the evidence indicating that children with autism process and respond to sensory input differently than typically-developing peers. CONCLUSION: The findings from this study support previous research findings that sensory processing differences exist between children with ASD and their typically-developing peers, as measured by the SP.