OAR@UM Collection:

An exploration of the perspectives of patients with cancer on occupational therapy-led relaxation sessions

Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT

Title: An exploration of the perspectives of patients with cancer on occupational therapy-led relaxation sessions Abstract: Background: The diagnosis of cancer and its treatment creates multidimensional symptoms that are highly prevalent in individuals with cancer. These include physical, psychological, social and spiritual effects on the individual, as well as the people that surround them. This goes on to further affect their health, well-being and overall quality of life. Purpose: This research study aims to gain a better understanding of the lived experience of individuals with cancer, as well as to determine if the occupational therapy-led relaxation programme had any impact on the participants' perceived quality of life. Method: This qualitative study made use of purposive sampling to recruit the eight participants that met the inclusion criteria. The participants underwent an 11-week beginner relaxation programme created by the occupational therapists at SAMOC. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and information from the ‘Patient Experience Questionnaire’ was accessed. Thematic analysis was carried out to categorise and analyse the data collected. Results: Six main themes along with their respective sub-themes were identified. These consisted of acknowledging the disruption to the individual’s lifestyle and identity due to cancer. It also highlighted the impact of the relaxation programme, including being able to prioritise themselves, learning coping skills and strategies to face stressors, having a safe and non-judgemental space, noticing the importance of being in a group due to the support and therapeutic conversation, as well as determining the impact of sensory inputs during the sessions. Conclusion: The main conclusion was that the individuals with cancer perceived their quality of life to be improved following their attendance at the relaxation sessions. Description: B.Sc. (Hons)(Melit.)

Creative arts and adults with intellectual impairments : professional artists' perspectives

Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Creative arts and adults with intellectual impairments : professional artists' perspectives Abstract: Community-based services or programmes enable individuals with intellectual impairments to engage in social activities and become active participants within their culture and society. It is recognised that, participation in community creative arts programmes including dance, music and theatre sessions have a positive effect on developing and supporting skills of adults with intellectual impairments (Lige, 2011; Shafir et al., 2020). However, adults with intellectual impairments are often not provided with enough opportunities to participate in leisure or serious leisure activities particularly those relating to creative arts. This research study aimed to explore the perspectives of professional artists working with adults having intellectual impairments, and their participation in weekly dance, music, and theatre sessions. A total of five participants representing all the three genres were interviewed in the process. A sample of semi-structured interview questions was prepared. Participants were asked 14 open-ended questions, and interviews lasted around two hours. Following review of data from the interviews, thematic analysis yielded various common themes. A focus group with the participants was then organised to gain more insight on the findings and add trustworthiness and credibility to the research. Findings showed that most of the participants felt that their members’ participation in weekly creative arts sessions and end of term performances is beneficial and skills attained can carry over in their lives and influence other occupations. However, various common barriers often presented by society and culture were highlighted. The conclusions from this research indicate that while professional artists feel that their members with intellectual impairments stand to benefit from creative arts sessions and participating in performances, opportunities for diversity and inclusion within the local scene leave much to be desired. Further research could provide practical solutions for change within the Maltese islands. Description: B.Sc. (Hons)(Melit.)

Exploring perceptions on the use of occupational therapy telehealth services during Covid-19

Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Exploring perceptions on the use of occupational therapy telehealth services during Covid-19 Abstract: Introduction: Covid-19 has enabled the expansion of telehealth in healthcare. Abroad, the use of telehealth has increased, along with the research body on the topic, suggesting that telehealth is a viable alternative to in-person visits. Little is known about the implementation, use and perceptions among occupational therapists (OTs) in Malta since they adopted telehealth modalities. Methods: This study used a cross-sectional survey of occupational therapists in Malta. The questionnaire assessed the use of telehealth, skills and training with technology, motivators, enablers, barriers, and perceptions on telehealth. The questionnaire mostly focused on OTs who are telehealth users, however the perception of telehealth non-users was also obtained. The descriptive statistics were calculated and compared with satisfaction and use of telehealth through the Kruskal-Wallis test; also, perceptions and satisfaction with factors were compared through the Kruskal-Wallis test and linear regression. Results: From the 51 survey responses, all the respondents met the inclusion criteria, representing approximately a 42.5% response rate of the Maltese occupational therapy workforce. 78.4% of the participants made use of telehealth at some time in their career. 65% of telehealth users reported that they are highly capable of providing quality care via telehealth. A significant influence between overall satisfaction with general care quality (p=0.025) and adoption of telehealth was found (p=<0.01). Additionally, infection control was identified as the main motivator, saving patient time as the main enabler and lack of patient technological competency as the main barrier. Discussion: Maltese OTs perceive telehealth positively and they are willing to adopt telehealth in their practice. Additionally, the providers think that telehealth does not impact care quality. Telehealth training, guidelines and policies are needed to maintain telehealth in a post Covid-19 world Description: B.Sc. (Hons)(Melit.)

The roles and routines of well-elderly Gozitans during the Covid-19 pandemic

Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT

Title: The roles and routines of well-elderly Gozitans during the Covid-19 pandemic Abstract: Background: The present study investigates the effects of COVID-19 on the roles and routines of well-elderly Gozitans living in the community. The geriatric population was deemed as vulnerable during the initial outbreak of COVID-19 on the Maltese islands, leading them to having to undergo a compulsory lockdown. Prior to the pandemic, the geriatric population have already been proven to experience more loneliness and isolation. Method: Nine female participants sixty years and older were interviewed within an Active Ageing Day Centre. The semi-structured interviews consisted of seventeen questions; seven were in relation to roles, routines, volition and habituation, six were about physical, mental and social well-being and four were related to awareness about services in the community. Results: The participants, overall, showed how social isolation had a negative effect on their general well-being, most notably their mental health therefore negatively affecting their ability of carry out their routines but then maintaining their roles. However, the clients were less willing to discuss their mental health when asked directly due to it being stigmatised and associated with dependency on others. The data also expressed a lack of use of services available in Gozo due to the lack of awareness and/or unwillingness to depend on others. Discussion: This study highlights the importance of having community-based occupational therapy services in Gozo, bettering the services offered by the Ministry for Gozo and carrying out further research on how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the geriatric population on the Maltese islands and how the evolving role of an occupational therapist can be beneficial for them. Description: B.Sc. (Hons)(Melit.)