A significant and core text in occupational therapy for more than 8 years, Dr Ann Wilcock's revolutionary "An Occupational Perspective of Health" has been updated and enhanced into a much-anticipated Second Edition This unique text that examines the relationship between occupation, health, and ill-health explores the occupational experience within populations and offers more information critical to the practice of occupational therapy Based on extensive studies of human history and occupation, Dr Wilcock takes a holistic approach of health in line with that of the World Health Organization, examining the necessity for occupational therapists and their role in promoting health and well-being for all people "An Occupational Perspective of Health" uncovers a different way to understand health by exploring the physical, social, mental, environmental, and spiritual dimensions that lead to or result from occupation Dr Wilcock takes a global perspective by approaching health from this angle, rather than just considering medical or social factors The text considers the growth, development, and enhancement potential of involvement This valuable resource supports and explains the historical and rational foundations of the advancing field of occupational therapy, by showing the link between occupation and existence Addressed in this edition are: a conceptualization of health in the past, present, and future; the role of occupation in human life, health, and survival; occupation as a positive or negative influence on well-being; the potential contribution of occupational therapy to current WHO public/population health objectives; and possible action for OTs to become recognized as health-promoting professionals at population levels Clinicians and students of occupational therapy, as well as other professionals working in public health, will benefit from and relate to this admired and essential text

An Occupational Perspective of Health

by J. Biggs and C. Tang, Maidenhead, England,
Open University Press, 2007, 360 pp., £29.99, ISBN-13: 978-0-335-22126-4

Teaching for quality learning at university

Linear Regression Analysis

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Model of Human Occupation: Theory and Application

by disclosing that she lectured to occupational therapy students, the respondents may have partially shaped their accounts to legitimise her interests and role. Regarding recommended further work, interviews would allow more detailed inquiry into these women's life histories, particularly to explore their initial motivation to try a craft activity following illness or diagnosis, because this could be of value to occupational therapists conceptualising treatment options. Many studies have examined how individuals with a common illness (such as multiple sclerosis) cope. This study has, instead, taken a shared coping activity and examined its role in the life of individuals with a variety of chronic conditions. Although comprising many adaptable and varied elements, some common benefits emerge, particularly restoring selfesteem and relief from negative emotions. The activity seems potent on several psychological levels. Many of the respondents described discovering (or re-discovering) needlecraft in their adult years, which suggests that adults can be open to innovations in their leisure pursuits. This may provide occupational therapists with further confidence that craftwork introduced to clients may have longterm therapeutic value. These accounts also indicate that the potential of leisure counselling to help those newly diagnosed with a chronic illness should be further investigated.

Book Review: Enabling Occupation: An Occupational Therapy Perspective:

Cognitive impairments (CI), associated with the consequences of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, are increasingly prevalent among older adults, leading to deterioration in self-care, mobility, and interpersonal relationships among them. Innovative Assistive Technologies (IAT) such as electronic reminders and surveillance systems are considered as increasingly important tools to facilitate independence among this population and their caregivers. The aim of this study is to synthesise knowledge on facilitators and barriers related to acceptance of and use of IAT among people with CI and their caregivers. This systematic review includes original papers with quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods design. Relevant peer-reviewed articles published in English between 2007 and 2017 were retrieved in the following databases: CINAHL; PubMed; Inspec; and PsycINFO. The Mixed Method Appraisal Tool (MMAT) was used for quality assessment. We retrieved thirty studies, including in total 1655 participants from Europe, USA/Canada, Australia, and Asia, enrolled in their homes, care-residences, day-care centres, or Living Labs. Two-thirds of the studies tested technologies integrating home sensors and wearable devices for care and monitoring CI symptoms. Main facilitators for acceptance and adherence to IAT were familiarity with and motivation to use technologies, immediate perception of effectiveness (e.g., increase in safety perceptions), and low technical demands. Barriers identified included older age, low maturity of the IAT, little experience with technologies in general, lack of personalization, and support. More than 2/3 of the studies met 80% of the quality criteria of the MMAT. Low acceptance and use of IAT both independently and with caregivers remains a significant concern. More knowledge on facilitators and barriers to use of IAT among clients of health care and social services is crucial for the successful implementation of innovative programmes aiming to leverage innovative technologies for the independence of older people with CI.

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Acceptance and Use of Innovative Assistive Technologies among People with Cognitive Impairment and Their Caregivers: A Systematic Review.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to improve our understanding of important aspects of participation in everyday life for people with different levels of severity of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Methods: A qualitative design was used, with empirical data obtained from focus groups. The participants had all been diagnosed with PD at least one year prior to the start of the study. Purposeful sampling was used to ensure that both sexes, with variations in age, marital status, living arrangements, education and employment, were represented. Recruitment continued until saturation was reached and resulted in 29 participants. Homogeneity within each focus group was based on self-rated PD severity (mild, moderate or severe). Findings: The aspects that influence participation at different stages of PD are that those with PD stand out in public, as a result of disease-specific features, and that the disease is unpredictable. Planning was highlighted as a strategy that is required to support participation and ...

"You plan, but you never know"--participation among people with different levels of severity of Parkinson's disease.

Background: Activity performance is marked by the degenerative nature of Parkinson's disease (PD), but few qualitative studies have focused on how people with PD perceive participation in life situations. Objective: To identify and describe barriers and facilitators for participation from the perspective of people with PD. Methods: Qualitative data was obtained by the focus group method using a semi-structured interview guide. Participants were recruited by purposeful sampling until saturation was reached. Homogeneity within each focus group was based on self-rated PD severity (mild, moderate, severe). Nine focus groups (three per PD severity level) included a total of 29 participants. Results: Complex dynamics between the individual and the physical and social environment create barriers and facilitators for participation as described in the four categories which emerged out of the focus group discussions. The category Ambiguity of attitudes and the support of others describes how attitudes and support of other people act both as facilitators and barriers for participation. PD specific complexity of the body and physical environment interaction describes barriers for participation. Facilitators emerged in the two categories PD expertise in health care and social services and Information and education foster PD specific understanding. Conclusions: Our findings imply several potential means to facilitate participation for people with PD, taking the person as well as the environment into account in person-centred interventions. This involves aspects such as having access to PD specific expertise, increasing the knowledge and thereby the understanding of PD as well as providing support for maintained work-life. (Less)

Barriers and Facilitators for Participation in People with Parkinson's Disease

Housing adaptations (HA) clients are a heterogeneous group of people with disabilities experiencing restricted performance and participation in everyday life. While health-related quality of life is a common and relevant outcome in health care research, associated factors among HA clients are largely unknown. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate which factors are associated with health-related quality of life among HA clients in Sweden. The study has a cross-sectional design, using baseline data collected among 224 participants in three municipalities in Sweden. The main outcome was health-related quality of life measured by the EQ-5D. Factors investigated as potentially associated were age, sex, living conditions, cognitive impairment, usability of the home, activities of daily living (ADL) dependence, participation, and fear of falling. The associations were explored using multiple linear regression analysis. Younger age and higher dependence in ADL were associated with lower scores on the EQ-5D. The social aspect of usability in the home had a positive association with the EQ VAS. Results suggest that certain groups of HA clients might be at risk for low health-related quality of life. Knowledge of their characteristics can potentially improve development and implementation of tailored interventions aiming at increasing their health-related quality of life.

https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/15/10/2130/pdf

Health-Related Quality of Life among People Applying for Housing Adaptations: Associated Factors

The aim of the paper was to explore the heterogeneity among housing adaptation clients. Cluster analysis was performed using baseline data from applicants in three Swedish municipalities. The analysis identified six main groups: "adults at risk of disability", "young old with disabilities", "well-functioning older adults", "frail older adults", "frail older with moderate cognitive impairments" and "resilient oldest old". The clusters differed significantly in terms of participation frequency and satisfaction in and outside the home as well as in terms of self-rated health. The identification of clusters in a heterogeneous sample served the purpose of finding groups with different characteristics, including participation and self-rated health which could be used to facilitate targeted home-based interventions. The findings indicate that housing adaptions should take person/environment/activity specific characteristics into consideration so that they may fully serve the purpose of facilitating independent living, as well as enhancing participation and health.

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Björg Thordardottir

Papers

Acceptance and Use of Innovative Assistive Technologies among People with Cognitive Impairment and Their Caregivers: A Systematic Review.

"You plan, but you never know"--participation among people with different levels of severity of Parkinson's disease.

Barriers and Facilitators for Participation in People with Parkinson's Disease

Health-Related Quality of Life among People Applying for Housing Adaptations: Associated Factors

Heterogeneity of Characteristics among Housing Adaptation Clients in Sweden-Relationship to Participation and Self-Rated Health.