Determinants of Time to Care for Children and Adolescents With Disabilities.

Time use studies uncover the organization of daily routine of families of children with disabilities. The objective of this study is to identify determinants of time spent caring for children/adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and typical development (TD). Participants were caregivers of children/adolescents with/without disability. Structural equation modeling tested a proposed model of time spent in child care. The variables in the model were as follows: questionnaire (families' socioeconomic status [SES]), children's functioning (The Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory-Computer Adaptive Test [PEDI-CAT]); hours of care (daily diaries), number of adaptations used, and help with child care (parents' report). Distinct variable combinations explained 78% of the variation in the time to care (TD model), followed by 42% (ASD) and 29% (CP). Adaptations indirectly affected time to care through its effect on functioning (CP); family's SES affected functioning through its effect on adaptation use (ASD). In conclusion, knowledge of factors affecting caregivers' time spent on children's care help occupational therapists implement family-centered strategies.

Physical Therapist Education and the Labor Market in Brazil: Advances and Challenges.

BACKGROUND: In Brazil, the number of physical therapy education programs and, consequently, of professionals has been growing for the past 20 years. OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study was to describe the evolution and distribution of physical therapist education programs in Brazil and to analyze the impact of workforce growth on the labor market for these professionals. DESIGN: This was a descriptive, exploratory, quantitative study. METHODS: Secondary data collected from official sources in Brazil were used. RESULTS: The first physical therapist education program was created in 1958, and, after significant growth, 536 programs were active in 2014. The historical series (1996-2014) shows a corresponding increase in the number of admissions by higher educational institutions. This expansion resulted in an increase in the number of professionals, with an impact on the labor market. The workforce in physical therapy is predominantly female, and women increased their participation in this labor market from 59% in 1996 to 81% in 2014. An increase in nominal monthly salaries was observed over the years from US $797.00 in 1996 to US $1056.00 in 2014. Nevertheless, the real average salaries, that is, salaries adjusted to inflation, have followed a trend of devaluation. LIMITATIONS: Results of this study must be interpreted in terms of overall trends rather than as precise absolute numbers due to the inherent nature of the varied secondary data sources. CONCLUSIONS: These data can support further discussion on training and the labor market in the field of physical therapy.

Empirical analysis of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) using structural equation modeling

ABSTRACT Objective: To empirically test the relationships proposed by the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) among its domains. Method: The cross-sectional study was completed with 226 adult patients with different health conditions who attended a Brazilian rehabilitation unit. The ICF components were measured with the following instruments: World Health Organization Disability Assessment Instrument II, Functional Independence Measure, Participation Scale, Craig Hospital Inventory of Environmental Factors, and a protocol designed to gather information on body structure and function and personal factors. Results: Structural equation modeling showed good model adjustment, GFI=0.863; AGFI=0.795; RMSEA=0.028 (90% CI=0.014-0.043). Significant relationships were found between activity and both body structure and function (standard coefficient=0.32; p<0.0001) and participation components (standard coefficient=–0.70; p<0.0001). Environmental and personal factors had a significant effect on the three functioning components (standard coefficient =0.39; p<0.0001; standard coefficient =-0.35; p<0.001, respectively). In contrast, body structure and function had no significant effect on participation (standard coefficient=–0.10; p=0.111) and health conditions had no significant effect on any of the functioning components, i.e., body structure and function, activity, and participation (standard coefficient=–0.12; p=0.128). Conclusion: Some of the ICF’s proposed relationships across domains were confirmed, while others were not found to be significant. Our results reinforce the contextual dependency of the functioning and disability processes, in addition to putting into perspective the impact of health conditions.

Influence of context in social participation of people with disabilities in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To identify environmental and personal factors associated with social participation in adults with various diseases/health conditions residing in the urban areas of the Belo Horizonte Metropolitan Region, Minas Gerais, Brazil. METHODS: Individual characteristics, social participation, and perception of environmental barriers of 226 patients treated at a public rehabilitation referral service were evaluated. Regression analyses with hierarchical entry of data were performed to verify the association of personal and environmental factors with social participation. RESULTS: More years of schooling, being engaged in the labor market, and consuming alcohol are conditions that increase the social participation of patients. Natural environment, transportation, access to health services, and social capital are perceived as the most important barriers to participation. Based on the linear regression analysis, the adjusted coefficient (R²(adj)) of the full model was 0.42 (P = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study may contribute to the planning and implementation of interventions and public policies at the individual and contextual level that are considered appropriate for reducing barriers and facilitate full participation.

Influence of context in social participation of people with disabilities in Brazil / Influencia del contexto en la participación social de las personas con discapacidades en el Brasil

OBJECTIVE: To identify environmental and personal factors associated with social participation in adults with various diseases/health conditions residing in the urban areas of the Belo Horizonte Metropolitan Region, Minas Gerais, Brazil. METHODS: Individual characteristics, social participation, and perception of environmental barriers of 226 patients treated at a public rehabilitation referral service were evaluated. Regression analyses with hierarchical entry of data were performed to verify the association of personal and environmental factors with social participation. RESULTS: More years of schooling, being engaged in the labor market, and consuming alcohol are conditions that increase the social participation of patients. Natural environment, transportation, access to health services, and social capital are perceived as the most important barriers to participation. Based on the linear regression analysis, the adjusted coefficient (R²adj) of the full model was 0.42 (P = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study may contribute to the planning and implementation of interventions and public policies at the individual and contextual level that are considered appropriate for reducing barriers and facilitate full participation.

OBJETIVO: Determinar los factores ambientales y personales asociados con la participación social de los adultos, en diversas situaciones de enfermedad o salud, que re­siden en las zonas urbanas de la Región Metropolitana de Belo Horizonte, del estado de Minas Gerais (Brasil). MÉTODOS: Se evaluaron las características individuales, la participación social y la percepción de las barreras ambientales de 226 pacientes tratados en un servicio público de rehabilitación de referencia. Se llevaron a cabo análisis de regresión con entrada jerárquica de los datos para comprobar la asociación de los factores personales y ambientales con la participación social. RESULTADOS: Un mayor número de años de escolarización, estar ocupado en el mercado de trabajo y el consumo de alcohol son condiciones que aumentan la participación social de los pacientes. El entorno natural, el transporte, el acceso a los servicios de salud y el capital social se perciben como las barreras más importantes a la participación. Con base en el análisis de regresión lineal, el coeficiente ajustado (R²aj) del modelo total fue de 0,42 (P = 0,000). CONCLUSIONES: Los resultados de este estudio pueden contribuir a la planificación y la ejecución de las intervenciones y políticas públicas a escalas individual y contextual que se consideren apropiadas para reducir las barreras y facilitar la plena participación.