Occupation

Abstracts Tuesday 28 June 2016
The study presents information based on the following key
themes: perspectives on both the positive and limiting aspects
which individuals faced whilst in the pursuit of meaningful
occupations during their admission. The study further explored
if motivation for activity changed over time and if any of the
occupations offered to the participants whilst on admission
has supported them since discharge. The researcher uses
this information not only as a way to validate service user
perceptions but also as a way to discuss recommendations and
implications to improve future OT practice in forensic settings.
References
College Of Occupational Therapists (2012). New occupational
therapy guidelines should be adopted in all secure hospitals.
[Online]. https://www.mentalhealthtoday.co.uk/New_
occupational_therapy_guidelines_should_be_adopted_in_all_
secure_hospitals_11338.aspx
Cordingly, K (2009). Occupational therapy risk assessment in
forensic mental health practice: an exploration. The British
Journal of Occupational Therapy. 72, 531–538.
Contact email address
rhaythorne@hotmail.co.uk
Session 9.2
Impact of occupational engagement through
purposeful activity for residential clients with
dementia
Davies R, Lowe JA, Northumbria University
A qualitative study examining the impact of occupational therapy
(OT) students undertaking a role-emerging placement on the
occupational engagement of residential clients with dementia.
Dementia has been identified as a priority for OT research (COT
2007), but there is minimal research exploring the direct impact
of OT interventions in nursing homes for people with dementia
in the UK. It is important to meet the occupational needs of
people with dementia due to their inability to pursue activities
independently; thus decreasing occupational deprivation
(Whiteford, 2000). Care homes that provide excellent care
for those with dementia are the ones that provide purposeful
activities that address individuals’ preferences, rather than for
entertainment purposes (Department of Health, 2009). However,
the occupational needs of those with dementia in care homes
are not being met (Alzheimers society 2007, Care Quality
Commission, 2012). Semi-structured interviews were completed
by the manager, activity coordinator and the 2 OT students to
explore the impact of the placement. Thematic analysis identified
five main themes that emerged from the data: Role, Occupation,
Engagement, Impact and Reflection. The students had a positive
impact on the home, residents and staff, manager stated
“Every home should have an OT; the effect it had was huge”.
Ethical approval was granted by Faculty of health and Life
sciences research ethics review panel at Northumbria University,
the submission code is: HLS-PHW141505, this proposal was
approved on 20th February 2015.
References
Alzheimer’s Society. (2007) Home from Home: A Report
Highlighting Opportunities for Improving Standards of Dementia
Care in Care Homes. London: Alzheimer’s Society.
Care Quality Commission (2012) Time to Listen in Care Homes:
Dignity and nutrition inspection programme 2012. Available
at: http://www.cqc.org.uk/sites/default/files/documents/
time_to_listen_-_care_homes_main_report_tag.pdf (Accessed
01/05/2015).
College of Occupational Therapists (2007) Building the evidence
for Occupational Therapy: priorities for research. London: COT.
Department of Health (2009) Living well with Dementia: A
National Dementia Strategy. London: DOH
Whiteford G (2000) Occupational Deprivation: Global Challenge
in a new millennium, British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 63
(5), 200–204.
Contact email address
ruthdavies69@yahoo.co.uk
Session 9.3
Lived experiences of community occupational
therapists in oncology: an interpretative
phenomenological analysis
Spencer K, Leeds Beckett University
In England there are approximately 1.8 million people living
with a diagnosis of cancer and this figure is rising (DoH, 2013).
A high number of these people will have a wide and varied
range of occupational therapy needs throughout their cancer
journey (Jeyasingam et al., 2008 and Bentley et al., 2013).
However, Hammill, Bye and Cook (2014) argue that the role
of occupational therapy is relatively new for people with a life
limiting illness and despite recent developments the role is less
defined than in other areas of practice, leaving clinicians unsure
of the scope of their role in this clinical area.
Methodology: This phenomenological study will explore the
lived experience of 5 community based occupational therapists
working with cancer patients via semi-structured interviews.
Data Analysis: Interviews will be transcribed verbatim and
analysed using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to
identify themes.
Ethics: Ethical approval was granted by Leeds Beckett University
(ref 18407) on 20/11/15.
Results: The results of this study aim to increase the body
of knowledge surrounding the roles and responsibilities of
community based occupational therapists in oncology and in
turn enhance the effectiveness and quality of the occupational
therapy service.
References
Bentley, R., Hussain, A., Maddocks, M. and Wilcock, A. (2013)
Occupational therapy needs of patients with thoracic cancer
at the time of diagnosis: Findings of a dedicated rehabilitation
service. Supportive Care in Cancer, 21(6), 1519–1524.
Department of Health (2013) Living with and beyond cancer:
taking action to improve outcomes. London: DOH [online]
Available from: [accessed 19 th July 2015].
Jeyasingam, L., Agar, M., Soares, M., Plummer, J. and Currow, D.
(2008) A Prospective study of unmet activity of daily living needs
in palliative care inpatients. Australian Occupational Therapy
Journal. 55, 266–272.
Hammill, K., Bye, R. and Cook, C. (2014) Occupational Therapy
for people living with a life-limiting illness: a thematic review.
British Journal of Occupational Therapy. 77(11), 582–589.
Contact email address
k.spencer6496@student.leedsbeckett.ac.uk
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