Objectives: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are the most prevalent occupational diseases that are serious, fundamental and costly in nature. Methods: This analytical descriptive study included 45 individuals of occupational and... more
Objectives: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are the most prevalent occupational diseases that are serious, fundamental and costly in nature. Methods: This analytical descriptive study included 45 individuals of occupational and physiotherapy community in Hamedan, Nahavand and Malayer cities of Iran. The standardized Nordic questionnaire was used to collect data. Data analysis was done by SPSS software, chi-square test, T-test and Kay Score tests. Results: Study results revealed the prevalence of MSD accounting for 65.9% (n=27) of the study population who at least had one part of their body infected. In a 12 months study period, the disorder symptoms were seen in wrist (34.1%), lumbar (31.7%), knee (29.3%), neck (26.8%), shoulder (19.5%), and back (17%). A significant relation was seen between the symptoms of the wrist and hand. This was more common among occupational therapists. The results also showed that the disorders in occupational therapists affected all the limbs, except the neck. In addition, the females were more susceptible to the disorders compared to the males. Discussion: This study confirmed the rate of prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders and injuries in occupational and physical therapists, with wrist and lumbar being the most affected. The promotion of therapist’s knowledge about MSD and following ergonomic principles and new approaches in the treatment may lower or prevent MSD.
Objectives: Clinical reasoning is at the heart of clinical work; it is affected by different field factors. A clear understanding of the reasoning process could solve practitioners' problems on how to make their underlying theories,... more
Objectives: Clinical reasoning is at the heart of clinical work; it is affected by different field factors. A clear understanding of the reasoning process could solve practitioners' problems on how to make their underlying theories, assumptions and values more explicit. The aim of this research is to understand how clinical reasoning process is formed in the context of occupational therapists working in different clinical settings in Iran. Methods: A purposeful and theoretical sampling of 15 occupational therapists working in clinical settings was performed through semi-structured interviews. All the data were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using Strauss and Corbin's (2008) grounded theory approach and constant comparative analyses. Results: Conceptual model was developed to explain the relationships among the main categories extracted through the grounded theory. Achieve an observable change emerged as the core category. Other important categories linked to the core category were, performing the continuum of clinical reasoning, context of clinical reasoning, and effective factors in clinical reasoning. Discussion: Findings showed that achieving an observable change in the client was the main consequence of the action/interaction strategies. Some facilitating factors related to the therapist, helped to process reasoning with a holistic and client-centered view, while also helping to develop the self-belief and professional identity. The dominance of medical views and a lack of health insurance were two intervening factors that constrained the dynamics of clinical reasoning within the context of practice.
Introduction Existing research has addressed the importance of community integration (CI) and its benefits of dwelling in a community but has yet to address the methods and efficiency of improving these activities among older people.... more
Introduction Existing research has addressed the importance of community integration (CI) and its benefits of dwelling in a community but has yet to address the methods and efficiency of improving these activities among older people. Thus, it is vital to understand how healthcare workers can integrate the benefits of CI among older people, especially with the use of occupational therapists (OTs). The latter are actively working to improve ageing individuals mobility within the community. Objective This study aims to identify Malaysian OTs’ perspectives on CI’s and its implication on older people. Method Occupational therapist from different states of Malaysia participated in a semi-structured interview, through a virtual medium (Zoom Cloud Meetings). The interview guide encapsulated the theory of critical incident technique (CIT). Results Thematic content analysis, over fourteen participants from 13 states of Malaysia, provided insights into CI’s barriers for older people in Malaysia. The findings revealed that multifaceted factors from an individual, organisational and socio-environmental perspective limit older people’s active CI engagement. Conclusion South-East Asia hierarchal and collectivist culture play a significant role in influencing all factors of CI. OTs must understand and incorporate appropriate cultural norms during CI practice development for the older population in Malaysia.
Objectives Occupation has been used as an essential core of therapy in Occupational therapy (OT) paradigm from its beginning. Besides primary emphasis of OT pioneers; the OT practitioners do not care about using it seriously yet. So, this... more
Objectives Occupation has been used as an essential core of therapy in Occupational therapy (OT) paradigm from its beginning. Besides primary emphasis of OT pioneers; the OT practitioners do not care about using it seriously yet. So, this study was designed to explore the current method of delivering occupational therapy services among Iranian occupational therapists. Materials & Methods The qualitative conventional content analysis with purposeful sampling method was used in this study. 14 occupational therapists participated in this study. Semi structured interviews were used for data gathering. The data gathering continued until reaching data saturation. The interviews were analyzed through constant comparative analysis using MAXQDA 2007 software. Results The interviews analysis revealed 66 codes that resulted to six sub themes and three themes including: Occupation based OT (occupation based assessment and planning –hard working circumstances for occupation based therapists), technique based OT (inattention to occupation based practice- top down approach to assessment and planning-inattention to client-centered practice) and combined occupation and techniques based OT (assessment and planning with combined approach) Conclusion It seems that the Iranian occupational therapists have deviated from their philosophical paradigm (occupation based practice) and tended to technique based OT. Lots of possible reasons such as contextual barriers, non-acceptance from clients’ perspective and educational challenges are considered in this issue. Therefore, the policy makers ought to plan and supervise to solve these challenges and to facilitate implementing occupation based practice.
