Development of the Refugees and Asylum Seekers Occupational Satisfaction (RASOS) Assessment Tool.

The objective of this study was to develop an occupation-centered and client-centered assessment tool for refugees and asylum seekers. A preliminary tool outline was produced based on a literature review, while considering previous published tools' strengths and limitations. A qualitative study was undertaken via focus groups to improve on the tool's design and adequacy for its purpose, resulting in the creation of a pilot version of the tool. Convenience sampling included 8 Greek and Cypriot professional and student occupational therapists with experience in the field, 8 international expert occupational therapists, 4 laypeople, 4 humanitarian professionals, and 5 refugees and asylum seekers. Basic qualitative content and thematic analysis led to topics regarding tool modifications that concerned categorization, formation/structure, wording, administration, and assessment scale. Corresponding tool revisions ensued. This study led to the development of the pilot version of the Refugees and Asylum Seekers Occupational Satisfaction (RASOS), which can also be used to identify underlying personal and environmental factors that contribute to self-perceived low satisfaction. A future quantitative study is required to establish the psychometric properties of the tool.

Application of Canadian Occupational Performance Measure combined with activity analysis in clients with hand injuries / 中国康复理论与实践

ObjectiveTo explore the occupational needs of hand injury patients and the effects of activity-based analysis and occupation-based interventions. MethodsFrom January, 2021 to June, 2022, 212 patients who accepted occupational therapy for wrist-hand injury in Rehabilitation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University were interviewed using Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) to collect the activities that they wanted to do, needed to do, were expected to do, but unable to do. Two senior occupational therapists conducted the activity analysis of the summarized needs, identified occupational components, designed a purposeful occupation-based intervention program, and evaluated the performance and satisfaction using COPM. ResultsA cumulative total of 84 occupational needs were proposed, covering five major domains: work, basic activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, leisure and sleep. The activities mostly impaired involved using computer (8.28%), using chopsticks (6.42%), wringing towels (6.25%), travelling on transport (4.90%) and lifting heavy objects (4.73%). The performance and satisfaction improved after treatment (t > 16.572, P < 0.001). ConclusionThe occupational needs are culturally specific for local hand injury patients; the use of an activity-based analysis and occupation-based intervention is effective on meeting the occupational needs.

Optimizing a Halfway House to Meet Mental Health Care Users' Occupational Needs.

Background. Halfway houses (HwH) may support community reintegration of mental health care users and can be effective in meeting occupational needs of residents. However, they are not optimally used in South Africa. Purpose. This study aimed to improve the functioning of a HwH so that it better meets occupational needs of the resident mental health care users. It draws on Doble & Santha (2008); seven occupational needs. Method. A four-phase Participatory Action Research methodology was used. We conducted thematic analysis to describe met and unmet needs within PAR phases. Findings. Occupational needs of accomplishment, renewal, pleasure and companionship were being met. However, coherence, agency and affirmation needs were not being met. An additional occupational need for interdependence, based on the African ethic of Ubuntu, was identified. Implications. HwH functioning affected residents' experiences of health and wellbeing. Engagement in collective occupations can contribute to meeting the occupational need of interdependence.

Homelessness: Understanding unmet needs and identifying resources.

BACKGROUND: Graduate occupational therapy students collaborated with an Area Health Education Center (AHEC) to address occupational therapy's role in intervening for individuals who are homeless. OBJECTIVE: The purpose was to provide educational resources on specific needs related to health and wellbeing to individuals who are homeless. METHODS: A variety of methods were used to gather information on common needs of the homeless population related to health and wellbeing, community integration, and development of routines. Initial data was collected through the use of a needs assessment for nine participants with thirteen questions followed with a weekly visit to a homeless shelter. The weekly visits allowed the students to build rapport and trust with the residents to gain an understanding of individual perspectives and barriers to occupation. RESULTS: The students worked with residents how to best access community based resources and services related to occupational needs. Specific needs were identified, and further resources were provided to support community integration, independent living, and self-management. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary findings provided a basic understanding of the foundational needs of individuals to be used to support future research linking occupational therapy to the homeless population to achieve individual goals, improve health and wellbeing, and enhance life skills management.

Explorando necesidades ocupacionales: un estudio de caso / Exploring occupational needs: a study of case

Este trabajo, da conocer la definición operacional de Necesidad Ocupacional aplicada en la investigación de Seminario de Título: Necesidades Ocupacionales de una madre cuidadora de una NANEAS (Niño o Adolescente con Necesidades Especiales de Atención en Salud) durante la hospitalización. La muestra utilizada correspondió a la madre de una NANEAS hospitalizada en el Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile, durante el año 2007-2008.Los datos obtenidos del estudio de caso fueron revaluados, por ende difieren del estudio anterior. Tras el análisis pudimos constatar que las áreas del desempeño mayormente vulneradas en esta madre, durante los periodos de hospitalización fueron: las AVD instrumentales, Trabajo y Tiempo Libre. La relevancia de este artículo se basa en la entrega de conocimiento y técnicas (Cuestionario de Necesidad Ocupacional) que contribuyen al desarrollo de la Ciencia de la Ocupación, y su práctica, la Terapia Ocupacional. El proceso de identificación de las Necesidades Ocupacionales (de ahora en adelante NN.OO), es una herramienta de diagnóstico, planificación, ejecución, evaluación y sistematización en salud que permite crear líneas de acción, convirtiéndose en un medio terapéutico de inclusión.

The purpose of this article is to explain the meaning of Occupational Need after it’s appliance during the seminaries’ investigation: “Occupational Needs of a Caregiver Mother during a Child with Special Health Care Need’s hospitalization.” For the investigation, there was observed the Child with Special Health Care Need’s mother hospitalized in the Universidad de Chile’s University along the period 2007 – 2008. The data of the case study has been reevaluated, that is why it varies from the previous study. After the analysis, it has been detected that the performance areas that were mostly injured during the hospitalization period were: the instrumental activities of daily living, work and leisure. The relevancy of this study is based on the acknowledgement and techniques (Occupational Needs Questionnaire) contribution to the development of the Occupational Science and it’s practice: the Occupational Therapy. The identification process of the occupational Needs, is a tool for diagnosis, planning, execution, evaluation and systematization for health that allows to create action lines, turning itself into an inclusive therapeutic mean.