ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To explore the rehabilitation goals and evaluate goal attainment outcomes of people with severe acquired brain injury (ABI), and investigate the relationship between goal engagement and goal attainment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mixed-methods cohort study with twenty-nine adults with severe ABI in Australia. Demographic data, goal statements and pre-post program Goal Attainment Scale scores as well as Goal Engagement Scale scores were collected. Goals were coded using inductive content analysis and categorised by ICF component and domain. Goal attainment within ICF categories was described and compared using descriptive statistics. Pre-post program change in goal attainment was evaluated using Wilcoxon signed rank tests and correlations between goal engagement and attainment was explored using Spearman's (rho). RESULTS: 94% of 320 goals were categorised as ICF Activity and Participation. There was significant improvement in goal attainment between admission and discharge (z=-0.47, p < 0.01). There was no significant relationship between goal engagement and goal attainment however there was a positive association between engagement in goal setting at admission and discharge.Conclusions: This interdisciplinary, inpatient rehabilitation program underpinned by key-worker facilitated person-centred, role-based goal setting resulted in goal attainment in chosen goals, which were primarily activity and participation-focused.
Goal setting is a core rehabilitation practice and service delivery models that facilitate collaborative goal setting which engages patients, their significant others and health professionals as a team are necessary to enable person-centred care.Role-based goal setting effectively engaged patients with acquired brain injury and their families, facilitating goal setting and the formation of activity and participation-focused rehabilitation goals in this extended rehabilitation setting.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Children seeking asylum face occupational deprivation and human rights violations. No research has investigated how occupational therapists work with child asylum seekers. The World Federation of Occupational Therapists promotes the Canadian Model of Client-Centred Enablement (CMCE) for occupational therapists working to promote human rights. AIMS/OBJECTIVES: This research investigates use of CMCE skills to investigate skills occupational therapists use when working with child asylum seekers in Australian immigration detention. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Interpretive description guided this investigation and purposive sampling was used to recruit 10 occupational therapists. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and thematically analysed. RESULTS: Occupational multi-level responsiveness, an overarching practice skill, involved keying into individual, family and socio-political levels to respond to occupational injustices. A wide array of practice skills extending beyond the CMCE framework were used in a nuanced and interwoven manner spanning multiple levels. CONCLUSIONS: Occupational multi-level responsiveness described occupational therapists working across macro-, meso- and micro-levels. SIGNIFICANCE: Understanding and enacting occupational multi-level responsiveness may support occupational therapists to plan and implement effective strategies when tackling occupational injustices. The skills identified may be applicable to other complex socio-political fields of practice. More research is needed. Further research should also investigate the occupational experiences of children seeking asylum. KEY POINTSOccupational therapists working with child asylum seekers in Australia take a multi-level approach, responding to individuals, families and socio-political structures.A three pronged approach to implementation of the occupational therapy practice process could support multi-level responsiveness to enhance practice that addresses occupational injustices.CMCE skills are not exhaustive and therapists discussed using other skills beyond those listed in the CMCE. Additional skills reflected humility and efforts towards more equal relationships between therapists and clients.
