How occupational therapists are perceived within inpatient mental health settings: The perceptions of seven Australia... - 2 views

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  #1 meglitwiller on 08 Aug 16

   

  This research discusses why there is uncertainly among other health professional concerning the role of occupational therapy in mental health. The study looked at the live experiences of seven nurses and they they perceived occupational therapy in their workplace. Some of the reasons for uncertainly include the large range of approaches and interventions used, poor communication, lack of professional education of health professional at the undergraduate and workplace level, lack of promotion of the value of the profession by its practitioners, limited contributions to evidence base for OT in mental health, difficulties for ot to articulate aspects of their professional assessment, and lack of a uniform role definition amongst occupation therapists working in mental health. These factors have contributed to the lack of referrals for ot in the mental health arena. The seven nurse participants have between 4-32 years of nursing experience, and 2-10 years working with occupational therapists. Five themes were identified from 41 coding categories.
  1) Guessing - most nurses did not have a broad understanding of the ot profession saying it was a bit "mysterious" and had to guess how to work with an ot.
  2) Perceptions and stereotypes - ot was attempting to take over nursing role, ot paid more than nurses, more senior than nurses, did not understand the nursing role or have respect for nursing opinions, ot did not communication with nurses, ot had lack of knowledge and experience in inpatient mental health settings
  3) Talking a different language - misunderstandings between ots and nurses
  4) Anything is better than nothing - Nurses suggested that ot had value on the mental health team even though they could not identify exactly what their roles were.
  5) Visibility and availability - Nurses felt ot had low visibility on the wards and were no perceived as an integral member of the team.
  
  Overall, the nurses had a range of experiences and engagement with ot that effect the may have influenced relationships with ot staff. Overall, the results have raised some imports issues to address for the ot profession working in a similar setting.
  
  Smith, E., & Mackenzie, L. (2011). How occupational therapists are perceived
  within inpatient mental health settings: The perceptions of seven Australian
  nurses. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 58(4), 251-260.
  doi:10.1111/j.1440-1630.2011.00944.x

   

  <div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">This research discusses why there is uncertainly among other health professional concerning the role of occupational therapy in mental health. The study looked at the live experiences of seven nurses and they they perceived occupational therapy in their workplace. Some of the reasons for uncertainly include the large range of approaches and interventions used, poor communication, lack of professional education of health professional at the undergraduate and workplace level, lack of promotion of the value of the profession by its practitioners, limited contributions to evidence base for OT in mental health, difficulties for ot to articulate aspects of their professional assessment, and lack of a uniform role definition amongst occupation therapists working in mental health. These factors have contributed to the lack of referrals for ot in the mental health arena. The seven nurse participants have between 4-32 years of nursing experience, and 2-10 years working with occupational therapists. Five themes were identified from 41 coding categories. <br /> 1) Guessing - most nurses did not have a broad understanding of the ot profession saying it was a bit "mysterious" and had to guess how to work with an ot. <br /> 2) Perceptions and stereotypes - ot was attempting to take over nursing role, ot paid more than nurses, more senior than nurses, did not understand the nursing role or have respect for nursing opinions, ot did not communication with nurses, ot had lack of knowledge and experience in inpatient mental health settings <br /> 3) Talking a different language - misunderstandings between ots and nurses <br /> 4) Anything is better than nothing - Nurses suggested that ot had value on the mental health team even though they could not identify exactly what their roles were. <br /> 5) Visibility and availability - Nurses felt ot had low visibility on the wards and were no perceived as an integral member of the team. <br /> <br /> Overall, the nurses had a range of experiences and engagement with ot that effect the may have influenced relationships with ot staff. Overall, the results have raised some imports issues to address for the ot profession working in a similar setting. <br /> <br /> Smith, E., & Mackenzie, L. (2011). How occupational therapists are perceived <br /> within inpatient mental health settings: The perceptions of seven Australian <br /> nurses. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 58(4), 251-260. <br /> doi:10.1111/j.1440-1630.2011.00944.x</div>

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