The Australian College of Speech Therapists

The case of a seven-year-old boy with a history of speech and language delay is described. The present phonologic problem is interpreted as a developmental dyspraxia of speech (DAS). A rationale for this diagnosis is presented in the belief that the careful analysis of single case studies may prove to be an effective method for resolving the current controversy about the validity of a diagnosis of DAS.     

Occupational therapy entry-level program applicants: a survey of northwest schools.

Recruitment of occupational therapy students requires both expansion and broadening of ethnic, cultural, age, sex, and geographic distribution. Information used to guide recruitment activities can be limited, quickly outdated, and regionally nonspecific. Applicants to all entry-level programs in the Northwest were surveyed to assess trends that could influence recruitment practices. One hundred thirty-five (82.8%) of the 163 applicants surveyed responded to a questionnaire that probed for sources of exposure to occupational therapy, career goals, and educational preferences. Applicants indicated having an initial interest in allied health or education fields, yet only 36% began college with occupational therapy education in mind. Volunteer or work experience in specific practice settings was identified by approximately 80% of the applicants as an influence in seeking an education in occupational therapy. Career influences, goals, and educational program preferences did not differ among applicants based on age, residential background, grades, or previous degree. An absence of applicants of ethnic minority allows limited application of findings to these targeted groups.     

The Perceptions of Ontario Radiation Therapists and Their Managers Regarding Continuing Professional Development

Continuing professional development (CPD) is essential to maintaining a knowledgeable health care work force. Studies of many health care professionals link CPD to competence, motivation, and job satisfaction. There is little information about CPD in the field of radiation therapy. In addition, staff views on CPD have been well researched, but there is a lack of literature looking at the opinions of managers. This study examined the following questions: (1) Is there a disparity between the views of radiation therapists and their managers concerning support for continuing professional development? (2) Where does the responsibility for continuing professional development lie? (3) Are radiation therapists aware of the availability of support within their department? and (4) Is there a difference between the academic (university affiliated) versus nonacademic centres? A self-administered electronic questionnaire was sent to 14 Ontario cancer centres. Of the 700 radiation therapists surveyed, there were 161 completed e-mail replies, giving a total response rate of approximately 23%. The final number of respondents in the management category was 25. Results showed that although more radiation therapists than managers felt that the organization should be responsible for providing opportunities for CPD, more managers than radiation therapists felt that the organization did indeed provide time off to support CPD. An additional discovery in the area of organizational responsibility is that, although the nonmanagement staff results were similar in both the academic and nonacademic settings, the management results differed significantly. Conclusions and recommendations indicate the need to expand the definition of CPD, implement more transparent CPD policies and application processes, increase communication between managers and staff, and investigate the need for radiation therapist-specific research on clinical competence.     

Discharge Planning for the Elderly in Acute Care: The Perceptions of Experienced Occupational Therapists

ABSTRACT

Providing medical care and making relevant discharge planning recommendations is critical to minimize risks, reduce hospital readmissions, and promote optimal functioning among the elderly population. Occupational therapists have an important role in making discharge recommendations to facilitate ongoing occupational engagement and adaptations. The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of the experienced occupational therapist in acute care on the key factors that are considered when making discharge recommendations for the elderly. Interviews with occupational therapists and field notes revealed the following five themes: Looking at the total picture; prioritizing client-centered collaborations; emphasizing cognitive functioning; enhancing occupational engagement; and framing assumptions about elderly discharge planning. Emphasizing a comprehensive, client-centered, and occupation-based assessment process that highlights client's values, self-care status, and cognitive functioning are the foundations of experienced occupational therapy practice with the elderly.     

Using Qualitative Research: A Practical Introduction for Occupational and Physical Therapists

Abstract

During pregnancy or postpartum period many women will experience some degree of pelvic girdle pain (PGP). In India, there is no information about the PGP prevalence and its associated factors evaluated during postpartum period. Purpose: To reveal the prevalence of PGP postpartum in Indian women and identify associated factors with PGP postpartum. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 284 postpartum women completed a questionnaire and underwent clinical examinations. The clinical examination included pain provocation tests for the pelvic as well as the active straight leg raise (ASLR) test. Possible associating factors were studied by using nonparametric tests and logistic regression analysis. Results: A total of 116 postpartum women (41%) had reported PGP at the time of the examination. A stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed to reveal associated factors. In the final model, factors such as (1) Caesarean delivery (adjusted OR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.3–4.9); (2) ASLR test score ≥4 (adjusted OR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.2–3.3); (3) Unilateral P4 test (adjusted OR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.1–3.0); and (4) Sitting position during feeding (adjusted OR, 1.5; 95% CI, 0.9–2.8) were associated with the PGP. Conclusion: We found a high prevalence of PGP in Indian women during the first three months of postpartum period. Our finding suggests that unilateral posterior pelvic pain provocation test (P4), ASLR test score ≥4, caesarean section delivery and sitting in breast-feeding posture were associated with increased risk of PGP during postpartum.     

Male occupational therapists in Ontario: a survey of work-related issues

Job satisfaction greatly influences an individual's decision to remain in his or her work situation. In many studies, one of the primary reasons for men leaving the profession of occupational therapy was due to job dissatisfaction. The purpose of this study was to further investigate the issue of job satisfaction in male occupational therapists. In March 1992, a survey was mailed to all (n = 82) male occupational therapists practicing in Ontario. A 67% (n = 55) response rate was obtained. This study addressed several factors pertaining to job satisfaction and other work-related issues. When using the median years of OT work experience (ie. seven) to divide the sample, two items were found to be significantly different when using one-way analyses of variance (ANOVA's): "satisfaction with the standing of the profession" and cumulative "satisfaction variable" items. In this study, less experienced male occupational therapists reported themselves to be less satisfied, more inclined to leave the profession or pursue another profession, but did not feel more isolated than their more experienced counterparts. The means of all items revealed a feeling of dissatisfaction on the Likert-scale used in this survey. Although no statistical significance could be achieved, a clear trend existed toward a lower level of satisfaction among the less experienced group.