Occupational Therapy Commons^™

Interprofessional Perceptions Between Occupational Therapists And Physical Therapists: Barriers To Effective Interdisciplinary Team Functioning, Jennifer L. Gober

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

OT and PT practitioners are expected to function as members of an interdisciplinary team effectively. It is important to be aware of the barriers that may create conflict between them. The purpose of this study was to examine interprofessional perceptions regarding interprofessional and practice issues that might serve as barriers to effective interdisciplinary team functioning. A random sample of 400 therapists (200 OTs and 200 PTs) was mailed questionnaires. A total of 182 questionnaires were used for data analysis. Research questions were analyzed using descriptive statistics, frequency distributions, t-tests, and chi-squares.

This study finds that OTs and PTs have differences …

Occupational Therapists' Interests And Attitudes Toward Animal Assisted Therapy As A Treatment Modality, Lori Susan Buckley

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

One hundred seventy-nine occupational therapists (OTs) responded to a survey regarding their interests and attitudes toward animal assisted therapy as a treatment modality. It was found that most of the practitioners would be interested in learning more about animal assisted therapy and most felt it is a valid treatment modality to be used by occupational therapists. Furthermore, the most common answer to the question "why would you not be interested in participating in an AAT program," was "I feel I don't know enough about it". It was also found that therapists' most commonly selected patient goals for AAT were in …

The Relationship Between Acculturation And The Effects Of Caregiving Of The Elderly Among Cuban-Americans, Georgia De Las Pozas

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to establish the perceived caregiving effects among thirty Cuban-born individuals caring for elderly relatives and the relationship of these effects with acculturation.

Most common difficulties were lack of private time, or social life, and decreased emotional and physical health. Satisfactions were mostly derived from fostering the elders' welfare. A strong positive relationship was found between caregivers' difficulties and stability of the caregiving dyad (r= - 0.642, p< .001). Caregivers involved in more unstable caregiver-care receiver dyads had more stress associated with caregiving difficulties. The acculturation factors of language, electronic media, and social relations, and the stability of the caregiving dyad accounted for 54 percent of the variation in caregivers' difficulties (p< .001) but only 21 percent of the variation of caregivers' satisfaction (p<.221).

These findings provided preliminary data of caregiving characteristics among Cuban-Americans and the importance of including acculturation in studies involving minorities.

The Effects Of Participation In An Arthritis Foundation Sponsored Aquacize Program On Health Status, Rose Ann Ruggiero Curboy

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The current study assessed the effects of participation in an Arthritis Foundation sponsored water exercise program on self-reported functioning and health status. Nine older community living women with various forms of arthritis took part in this pre to post-test design study, along with a comparison group of eleven older women also regularly engaged in differing forms of exercise. Both groups completed a standardized questionnaire, the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales 2, twice over an eight week period. Twelve scales and additional questions measured physical, social, and psychological aspects of daily functioning. Aquacize participants reported significant improvements in the Physical Component area …

Age-Related Differences In Self-Reported Health And Functional Abilities In The Elderly, Cynthia Garner Condon

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to compare age-related differences in self-reported health and self-reported functional abilities from 1971 individuals surveyed in the Comprehensive Needs Assessment Survey of Elders 60 years and Older in Dade County. The responses were divided into four age groups: (a) 60 to 64 years, (b) 65 to 74 years, (c) 75 to 84 years, and (d) 85 years and older and results compared.

The study found that self-reported health ratings were significantly different across the four age groups and exhibited a gradual decrease in favorable health ratings with age. For all ages, at least 60% …

Occupational Therapists' Assessment Of The Caregivers Of Their Elderly Patients, Ernest Vincent Corradetti

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the methods and extent to which occupational therapists who are practicing in aging are assessing the caregivers of their elderly patients. A random sample of 500 therapists who subscribe to a special interest group publication of a professional organization were surveyed by mail and 204 responses were received.

Respondents were asked to indicate all of the activities related to caregiver assessments in which they engage. Methods of assessment included: (a) professional caregiving activities, (b) informal assessment methods, and (c) formal assessment methods. There were more than 90% of respondents who indicated that …

Icelandic Occupational Therapists' Attitudes Toward Educational And Professional Issues, Elín Ebba Ásmundsdóttir

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The entire population of Icelandic occupational therapists were surveyed concerning characteristics and attitudes toward professionalism and educational goals. There were 87 questionnaires sent out and 80 (92%) were returned and used for analysis. This data will have a positive impact upon the development of the first Icelandic occupational therapy curriculum. Icelandic occupational therapists, in general, value academic skills over technical skills, are active in their association, willing to take on duties for the advancement of the profession and are interested in conducting research. The attitudes of the Icelandic occupational therapists were generally quite uniform. T- tests and one-way ANOVAs (p < .05) revealed some significant differences in a number of attitudes by education level, length of professional experience and country of education. The results show the importance of providing Icelandic occupational therapy practitioners with the opportunity to take part in research. This study will serve as a foundation for future studies on Icelandic occupational therapists and provide reference data for later comparison.

Beliefs Of Icelandic Elderly Living In The Greater Reykjavik Area Toward Autonomy And Paternalism In Caregiving Of The Elderly, Ingibjorg Svava Asgeirsdottir

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

With the aging population and the increase in health care costs, issues of independence and autonomy will have a greater impact on formal and informal health care. Changes in occupational functioning that accompany increased age has raised the demand
for family assistance to the elderly. It is important for occupational therapists to understand the elderly's perceptions toward autonomy and paternalism in caregiving of the elderly because it is assumed that attitudes and beliefs affect how people interact and care for the elderly.

A convenience sample of 57 Icelandic elderly were surveyed regarding their attitudes toward autonomy and paternalism in caregiving …

Occupational Therapy In Iceland Attitude, Knowledge And Cooperation, Gunnhildur Gisladottir

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to discover attitudes and knowledge of four healthcare student groups toward occupational therapy in Iceland.

A fact-sheet identifying philosophy, theoretical background, skills roles and occupational therapy working areas was developed. Pre-test and post-test questionnaires were used to measure any attitude and knowledge changes which might have occurred after reading the fact-sheet.

The results demonstrated that the four student groups had obtained knowledge about occupational therapy during their university experiences; either from in class information or from field trips to occupational therapy departments. The questionnaire results indicated that students' attitudes toward cooperation with occupational therapists …

Valued Occupational Roles And Life Satisfaction Among South Florida Hiv-Infected And Non-Infected Homosexual Males : An Exploratory Study, Kenneth Morton Byers

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A study was conducted in order to describe and understand the occupational role behavior of gay men with particular interest on understanding the impact of an HIV diagnosis on their roles and life satisfaction. A 137- item questionnaire was developed for this study and distributed through various gay community groups in south Florida. The process resulted in ranked description of 24 valued occupational roles of gay men (n = 80) along with a general understanding of potential shifts that may occur in those roles as a result of becoming infected with HIV. The study concludes that a diagnosis of HIV …

The Relationship Between Common Language And Length Of Treatment In Occupational Therapy, Nivia Liz Binett

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The diversity of ethnic and cultural groups and the effects of language in the therapeutic relationship are timely professional issues of concern to occupational therapy practitioners. The tri-ethnic, tri-cultural South Florida area offers a natural environment where one can study how patient-therapist interactions are influenced by language barriers in a diverse society. This study examines the effects of language on the adequacy of occupational therapy services, specifically how language affects the length of the treatment program. The nature of diagnosis therapists' ethnicity, and how they impact treatment outcomes are also addressed. A sample was drawn from the occupational therapy outpatient …

Occupational Therapists As Consultants In Florida Schools : A Survey, Leigh Ann Agee

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Little research has been done on how well prepared occupational therapists feel to perform the role of consultant. This study investigated the perceptions of occupational therapists acting as consultants in Florida schools, how much education/training they have received and how they perceive their consultation skills. Participants in the study were sent a questionnaire and measures of central tendency were calculated on each item. Crosstabulations using Fisher's exact test were completed to investigate any relationship between type of consultation model used and relationships with educators. A one way ANOVA was conducted to investigate any relationship between self-perceived consultant skills and age, …

The Use Of Aerobic Exercise As An Occupational Therapy Intervention For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Patients, Phyllis A. Davis

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric diagnosis receiving increased attention. Occupational therapists are becoming more involved with this diagnosis, particularly with Vietnam Veterans in Veteran Affairs Hospitals. Aerobic exercise is a treatment which has not been explored with this population. Depression and anxiety are symptoms commonly associated with PTSD. This study sought to determine whether aerobic exercise would reduce overall PTSD symptomatology, including depression and anxiety. Three psychological inventories: The Penn Inventory for PTSD, The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and The Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and one physiological inventory: The Queens Step Test for VO₂ Max were …

A Descriptive Study Of University Students' Beliefs Regarding Autonomy And Paternalism In Caregiving Of The Elderly, Linda Ann Cain

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

An elderly person with declining physical and mental abilities associated with aging or disease, often needs assistance from others for functional activities. The beliefs in autonomy and paternalism of those who render assistance to the elderly may influence their behavior toward the elderly. The purpose of this study was to identify university students' beliefs regarding autonomy and paternalism in caregiving of the elderly and to determine if there were any differences in beliefs between educational levels. Seventy-two undergraduate and graduate occupational therapy students (mean age 28.3) volunteered to participate in this study. The measurement instruments included: the Respect for Autonomy …

Comparison Of Parental Perception And Therapist Interpretation Of Child's Performance Of The Peabody Fine Motor Scale, Martha Gene Belote

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Public Law 102-119 (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1991), mandates that family members, if they wish, participate in developing a plan of treatment for their child. Traditionally, therapist have not relied on parental assessments based upon the assumption that parents overestimate their child's abilities. The present study compared parental perceptions about the developmental status of their child's fine motor abilities to the therapist's interpretation of a standardized assessment using the Peabody Developmental Motor Scale (Fine Motor). Thirty seven children, enrolled in an early intervention program, and their parents were recruited for the study. The results indicated that the parents …

Stated Versus Observed Performance Levels In Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain, Alma R. Abdel-Moty

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the relationship between chronic low back pain (CLBP) patients' perceived (stated) levels of function and their measured (observed) performance in squatting and stair climbing activities as compared to healthy volunteers. Twenty patients with CLBP and 20 healthy subjects were asked through an interview to self-assess their ability to comfortably perform stair climbing and squatting as well as other tolerances. The subjects were then asked to perform the activities and their performance levels were recorded. Results of the t-tests and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) procedures revealed that patients' estimate of squatting and stair climbing abilities as well as …