Julia Jansen-van Vuuren

Bio: Julia Jansen-van Vuuren is an academic researcher from Queen's University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Occupational therapy & Psychology. The author has an hindex of 3, co-authored 5 publications receiving 23 citations.

The role of Occupational Therapy in Africa: A scoping review

Abstract: Objectiv e: This scoping review explores the role of occupational therapy in African countries including major practice areas, specific activities within practice areas, and potential considerations unique to the African context. Method : Two authors independently reviewed articles from online database searches and manual searches of reference lists and specific Occupational Therapy journals using a combination of keywords related to ‘Occupational Therapy’, ‘Africa’, and ‘role’. Articles were included based on pre-determined eligibility criteria (i.e., peer-reviewed, English articles that describe occupational therapists’ tasks/ activities) and discussion to reach consensus. The authors charted data through content analysis of the articles based on the review’s objectives prior to drawing out common themes relevant to the African context. Results : Thirty-two articles were included covering twelve African countries, though predominantly focused on South Africa. Findings demonstrate that, despite having tasks specific to practice areas, the overarching role of occupational therapy is facilitating engagement in meaningful occupation. Additionally, the findings highlight a vital role for African therapists in community-based services and the need to consider the unique cultural context in practice. Conclusion : Congruent with universal occupational therapy principles, Occupational Therapy in Africa aims to facilitate engagement in meaningful occupation, but therapists should consider their unique cultural context to ensure meaningful and sustainable outcomes whilst maintaining a valuable universal identityObjective: This scoping review explores the role of occupational therapy in African countries including major practice areas, specific activities within practice areas, and potential considerations unique to the African context. Key words : Occupational Therapy, Occupational Therapists, Africa, role, culture, community-based

Training Needs of Community-based Rehabilitation Workers for the Effective Implementation of CBR Programmes

Abstract: Purpose : This review investigates the training needs of Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) workers that would enable them to effectively facilitate CBR programmes. Emphasis was placed on identifying: (a) the skills that CBR workers require (b) the training currently available for them, and (c) the gaps in current training. Method : A scoping review was conducted using on-line database searches (Medline, Embase, Cinahl, PsycInfo, Global Health) for English articles from 2006 onwards. A combination of keywords related to CBR, personnel, and training were applied. Hand searches of reference lists and the DCID journal were also conducted. Grey literature related to training, from the World Health Organisation (WHO), CBR Regional Networks and organisations affiliated with CBR were included as secondary data. Thirty-three articles and thirty-five sources from the grey literature were included. Data was organised under the three objectives outlined above – i.e., required skills, available training and training gaps. Results : CBR workers represent a diverse group requiring a broad range of skills. A new cadre of mid-level workers is also necessary to effectively implement the CBR guidelines. There is currently no standardised training for CBR workers and training varies widely, depending on context. CBR workers require further training in various clinical, social, management, communication, and cultural competence skills across the spectrum of the CBR Matrix, and specifically in empowering persons with disabilities and facilitating community development. They also need to develop critical reasoning, creativity, and compassion. Conclusion : A standardised approach to training CBR workers would be beneficial to ensure basic standards and quality services, to allow meaningful comparison and evaluation across contexts, to recognise the role of mid-level CBR workers, and to strengthen the workforce. Further research is required to determine minimal competencies, define the roles of various CBR workers, and evaluate the effectiveness of training.

The role and scope of occupational therapy in Africa

Abstract: Purpose: Occupational therapy (OT) is a global health profession that promotes participation in meaningful occupations to enhance well-being, particularly for persons with disabilities. Occupational therapy is relatively new in many African countries and there is limited research regarding the role of OT in this region. Thus, this study aims to understand the role and scope of OT in Africa by exploring its unique contribution to healthcare and cultural considerations for practicing OT in various African contexts.Methods: We conducted an exploratory qualitative descriptive study involving semi-structured interviews with 15 occupational therapists from 11 African countries. Interview questions focused on participants' work activities, rewards and challenges of their work, and perceived contribution to healthcare. We audio-recorded and transcribed interviews followed by inductive thematic analysis.Results: All participants described maintaining multiple roles. Four main themes (with sub-themes) emerged: advocacy (clients and the profession), collaboration (multi-disciplinary team, professional support, and internationally), maintaining core OT principles (occupation, function, participation, empowerment, and holistic practice), and contextual considerations (community-based services, practice approaches, sustainability, cultural norms, and spirituality).Conclusions: Occupational therapists working in African contexts have a unique and challenging role involving advocacy and collaboration. They need to maintain core OT values whilst addressing contextual considerations to ensure culturally relevant practice.Implications for RehabilitationOccupational therapists have an important role in promoting health and well-being; however, practice is influenced by the cultural context.Occupational therapists in Africa maintain multiple roles, including advocacy for their clients and the profession, and collaboration within a multidisciplinary team, for professional support and internationally.African occupational therapists need to be rooted in core OT principles whilst considering their unique context to ensure culturally relevant practice.

Family quality of life for families of children with disabilities in African contexts: a scoping review.

Abstract: Family Quality of Life (FQOL) is an important outcome for families of children with disabilities and is influenced by context and culture. Minimal research explores FQOL in African contexts. This scoping review identifies factors contributing to FQOL for families of children with disabilities in African contexts. We were guided by Arksey and O’Malley’s scoping review framework, searching for research papers from the following electronic databases: CINAHL, Embase, Medline, Global Health, and PsycINFO. Using pre-determined eligibility criteria, two authors independently reviewed articles for inclusion via Covidence, a reference manager that facilitates blind reviewing. Two other authors independently extracted data from studies using a data-charting form based on Zuna and colleagues’ FQOL framework. Reviewers met regularly for discussion to reach consensus. Fifty-three articles met the inclusion criteria, and findings demonstrated a broad variety of factors contributing to FQOL within the FQOL framework related to family unit factors, individual member factors, and external support factors. We found that poverty, stigma, and spirituality were particularly prominent factors affecting FQOL negatively and positively in African contexts. Whilst there are universal factors that contribute to FQOL, recognising the influence of context-specific factors (i.e. poverty, stigma, spirituality) is important in order to provide effective, culturally relevant support that enhances FQOL for families of children with disabilities in African contexts.

Family Quality of Life and Support: Perceptions of Family Members of Children with Disabilities in Ethiopia

Abstract: There has been increasing attention to quality of life for families supporting children with disabilities internationally; however, there is minimal research on family quality of life (FQOL) in low-income countries, and specifically in African contexts. This study explored how Ethiopian families of children with disabilities conceptualised FQOL and what they perceived their support needs related to FQOL were. Using a qualitative exploratory descriptive design, we interviewed Ethiopian family members of children with various disabilities. Audio-recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim and translated into English with professional translation assistance. We analysed translated transcripts inductively based on Braun and Clarke’s approach to thematic analysis. We found that spirituality was core to families and that they described FQOL in terms of their relationships within the immediate family and with the community. Additionally, families wanted to be self-sufficient and provide for themselves, but with the additional challenges of raising a child with a disability and pervasive poverty, they recognised their need for more support. Therefore, providing holistic, family-centred services to Ethiopian families of children with disabilities can contribute to enhancing FQOL.

Sustainable support solutions for community-based rehabilitation workers in refugee camps: piloting telehealth acceptability and implementation

Abstract: The lack of training and education of Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) workers poses one of the most significant barriers to receiving effective occupational, physical and speech therapy for individuals with disabilities in Low-to-Middle Income Countries (LMIC), especially in countries with significant refugee populations. The aim of this study was to successfully implement a telehealth support system for CBR workers, evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of this intervention’s implementation among CBR workers in the CBR setting, and further identify strategies to address the deficit of skilled rehabilitation workers in LMIC through technological intervention. This pilot study included CBR workers and CBR managers to inform feasibility, acceptability, and sustainable implementation. The RE-AIM and Dynamic Sustainability Framework were incorporated to guide procedural design, survey development, data collection, data evaluation, and increase success of telehealth implementation. CBR workers participate in trainings, telehealth sessions, surveys and focus groups to inform feasibility and acceptability. CBR Managers participated in focus groups to inform feasibility and sustainable implementation. NVIVO 12 Software was utilized to develop themes from CBR worker and CBR manager responses. Findings from this study demonstrate the need for additional training support for CBR workers in CBR settings throughout the entire treatment process. The telehealth system demonstrated successful short-term implementation across several domains of feasibility. Telehealth utilization was also proven acceptable, appropriate and necessary. Cultural beliefs, CBR worker training, and CBR Center infrastructure pose the most significant barriers to implementation of telehealth technologies in CBR Centers. CBR workers and managers confirmed the demand for future telehealth-based support systems, strengthening effort towards sustainability and scale-up. Telehealth can be utilized to support CBR workers that serve vulnerable and marginalized populations, and in turn improve the global health status among refugee populations by reducing inequitable access to quality health care. The results support the need for further research to rigorously evaluate effectiveness of telehealth interventions to support CBR workers.

The role of Occupational Therapy in Africa: A scoping review

Abstract: Objectiv e: This scoping review explores the role of occupational therapy in African countries including major practice areas, specific activities within practice areas, and potential considerations unique to the African context. Method : Two authors independently reviewed articles from online database searches and manual searches of reference lists and specific Occupational Therapy journals using a combination of keywords related to ‘Occupational Therapy’, ‘Africa’, and ‘role’. Articles were included based on pre-determined eligibility criteria (i.e., peer-reviewed, English articles that describe occupational therapists’ tasks/ activities) and discussion to reach consensus. The authors charted data through content analysis of the articles based on the review’s objectives prior to drawing out common themes relevant to the African context. Results : Thirty-two articles were included covering twelve African countries, though predominantly focused on South Africa. Findings demonstrate that, despite having tasks specific to practice areas, the overarching role of occupational therapy is facilitating engagement in meaningful occupation. Additionally, the findings highlight a vital role for African therapists in community-based services and the need to consider the unique cultural context in practice. Conclusion : Congruent with universal occupational therapy principles, Occupational Therapy in Africa aims to facilitate engagement in meaningful occupation, but therapists should consider their unique cultural context to ensure meaningful and sustainable outcomes whilst maintaining a valuable universal identityObjective: This scoping review explores the role of occupational therapy in African countries including major practice areas, specific activities within practice areas, and potential considerations unique to the African context. Key words : Occupational Therapy, Occupational Therapists, Africa, role, culture, community-based

Mediating effects of family functioning on the relationship between care burden and family quality of life of caregivers of children with intellectual disabilities in Mongolia.

Abstract: BACKGROUND Intellectual disabilities are characterized by constant and complex needs for care that place a heavy burden on the families of affected individuals and affect their overall quality of life. We evaluated the mediating effects of family functioning on the relationship between care burden and the family quality of life of caregivers of children with intellectual disabilities in Mongolia. METHODS Data were collected from a sample of 150 caregivers of children with intellectual disabilities from October 2017 to November 2017. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to examine the mediating effects of family functioning. RESULTS Family functioning had a partial mediating effect (β = .702, p < .001) on the relationship between care burden and family quality of life. CONCLUSION Family functioning should be considered when developing a social support intervention to improve family quality of life among caregivers of children with intellectual disabilities.