Introduction: People on the autism spectrum often struggle to transition smoothly between occupations in daily life. Objective: This qualitative inquiry aimed to understand the human and non-human factors that influence occupational transitions from the perspectives of adults on the autism spectrum. Method: Using a constructivist grounded theory design, this study purposively gathered data from eight adults on the autism spectrum who shared their viewpoints via semi-structured interviews and self-produced written texts. Framed by the Cultural Historical Activity Theory, an iterative process of constant comparative analysis was employed, yielding six categories that constituted the assembly of a working theory on occupational transitions among adults on the autism spectrum. Results: Drawn from eight participants, the six categories were: 1) getting ready, 2) the attributes of the occupation, 3) the others, 4) strategies of the moment, 5) cumulative stress, and 6) possible ends of the process. Conclusion: Our findings revealed a nuanced understanding on occupational transitions for adults with autism. First, materiality (non-human entities) serves various purposes in occupational transitions, implying that in some cases, intangible materials (tacit knowledge) would be enough to initiate, aid, or terminate occupational transitions. Second, doing transitions together through the optimization of social support and resources can make occupational transitions more meaningful for adults in the autism spectrum. It is our ambition that these propositions be tested and emphasized in occupational therapy, healthcare, and social care practices.
DOCUMENT
Health interventions often do not reach blue-collar workers. Citizen science engages target groups in the design and execution of health interventions, but has not yet been applied in an occupational setting. This preliminary study determines barriers and facilitators and feasible elements for citizen science to improve the health of blue-collar workers. The study was conducted in a terminal and construction company by performing semi-structured interviews and focus groups with employees, company management and experts. Interviews and focus groups were analyzed using thematic content analysis and the elements were pilot tested. Workers considered work pressure, work location and several personal factors as barriers for citizen science at the worksite, and (lack of) social support and (negative) social culture both as barriers and facilitators. Citizen science to improve health at the worksite may include three elements: (1) knowledge and skills, (2) social support and social culture, and (3) awareness about lifestyle behaviors. Strategies to implement these elements may be company specific. This study provides relevant indications on feasible elements and strategies for citizen science to improve health at the worksite. Further studies on the feasibility of citizen science in other settings, including a larger and more heterogeneous sample of blue-collar workers, are necessary.
DOCUMENT
INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to investigate reasons why people consulted an occupational therapist following cancer treatment, and to examine the outcome of occupational therapy interventions, in the context of multidisciplinary rehabilitation.METHODS: Data from 181 patients were collected retrospectively. The International Classification of Human Functioning and Health (ICF) was used to describe the reasons for occupational therapy consultation. Patients had completed the Canadian Occupational Performance Measurement (COPM) before and after the occupational therapy intervention. Change scores were calculated with a 95% confidence interval and a two-sided p-value obtained from a paired t-test.RESULTS: The reasons for occupational therapy consultation were predominantly within the ICF domain "Activities and Participation". On average, patients improved 3.0 points (95% CI 2.8-3.2) on the performance scale of the COPM, and 3.4 points (95% CI 3.2-3.7) on the satisfaction scale (both: p = <.001).CONCLUSION: The result of this study supports the added value of occupational therapy to cancer rehabilitation, and emphasise the positive effect of occupational therapy on everyday functioning. Controlled clinical studies are needed to strengthen the evidence.
DOCUMENT
Dutch society faces major future challenges putting populations’ health and wellbeing at risk. An ageing population, increase of chronic diseases, multimorbidity and loneliness lead to more complex healthcare demands and needs and costs are increasing rapidly. Urban areas like Amsterdam have to meet specific challenges of a growing and super divers population often with a migration background. The bachelor programs and the relating research groups of social work and occupational therapy at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences innovate their curricula and practice-oriented research by multidisciplinary and cross-domain approaches. Their Centres of Expertise foster interprofessional research and educational innovation on the topics of healthy ageing, participation, daily occupations, positive health, proximity, community connectedness and urban innovation in a social context. By focusing on senior citizens’ lives and by organizing care in peoples own living environment. Together with their networks, this project aims to develop an innovative health promotion program and contribute to the government missions to promote a healthy and inclusive society. Collaboration with stakeholders in practice based on their urgent needs has priority in the context of increasing responsibilities of local governments and communities. Moreover, the government has recently defined social base as being the combination of citizen initiatives, volunteer organizations , caregivers support, professional organizations and support of vulnerable groups. Kraktie Foundations is a community based ethno-cultural organization in south east Amsterdam that seeks to research and expand their informal services to connect with and build with professional care organizations. Their aim coincides with this project proposal: promoting health and wellbeing of senior citizens by combining intervention, participatory research and educational perspectives from social work, occupational therapy and hidden voluntary social work. With a boundary crossing innovation of participatory health research, education and Kraktie’s work in the community we co-create, change and innovate towards sustainable interventions with impact.
De Regionale Kenniswerkplaats Jeugd en Gezin Centraal is een netwerk van ouders, jeugdigen, praktijkorganisaties, gemeenten, opleidingen en kennisinstituten in de jeugdregio’s Eemland, Lekstroom, Utrecht-West en Zuidoost Utrecht. De netwerkpartners delen bestaande kennis en ontwikkelen samen nieuwe kennis om (boven)regionale jeugdvraagstukken aan te pakken.Doel De Regionale Kenniswerkplaats Jeugd en gezin Centraal heeft als doel het genereren, verzamelen en delen van kennis om jeugdigen zo gezond, veilig en kansrijk mogelijk te laten opgroeien. Resultaten De resultaten van de projecten binnen deze werkplaats volgen. Looptijd 01 september 2020 - 01 september 2024 Aanpak De netwerkpartners hebben relevante jeugdvraagstukken verzameld en beschreven in een kennisagenda die jaarlijks geactualiseerd wordt. Deze vormt de basis voor de werkplaatsactiviteiten. De werkplaats start een vierjarig project rondom het vergroten van mentale weerbaarheid omdat veel jeugdigen (prestatie)druk en ongezonde stress ervaren. Gelijktijdig zijn kortlopende projecten mogelijk over actuele onderwerpen die aansluiten op de kennisagenda. Downloads & links Podcast over schoolstress en prestatiedruk, gemaakt door Social Work studenten. Kennisagenda Jongerensamenvatting Regionale Kenniswerkplaats Jeugd en Gezin Centraal {pdf} Samen leren en verbeteren in de regio: regionale kenniswerkplaatsen jeugd van start. Nieuwsbericht ZonMw april '20 Samenwerking met kennispartners We werken samen in een netwerk van ouders, jeugdigen, praktijkorganisaties, gemeenten, opleidingen en kennisinstituten in de jeugdregio’s Eemland, Lekstroom, Utrecht-West en Zuidoost Utrecht: Altrecht GGDrU Jeugdhulpregio Eemland Jeugdhulpregio Lekstroom Jeugdhulpregio Utrecht West Jeugdhulpregio Zuid Oost Utrecht Kenniscentrum Kinder- en Jeugdpsychiatrie Nationale Jeugdraad Nederlands Centrum Jeugdgezondheid Netherlands School of Public and Occupational Health Nederlands Jeugd Instituut Pharos SAVE Midden-Nederland SWV de Eem SWV (VO) Eemland Trimbos-Instituut UMCU Universiteit Utrecht UW Ouderplatform Youké
