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Introduction As the rate of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among military personnel and military veterans continues to rise, occupational therapists are increasingly concerned with the impact of this disorder on health, occupational performance, and quality of life. However, the literature on occupational therapy for military personnel and military veterans with PTSD has not been summarised. Method The objective was to identify what is known from the published, peer-reviewed literature, about the services provided by occupational therapists to military personnel and military veterans experiencing PTSD. Arksey and O'Malley's five steps for scoping reviews were utilised. A search of three databases identified 27 articles. Results Of the 27 papers reviewed, 13 papers discussed military personnel, 13 for military veterans, and 1 reported on both populations. Of these 27, 9 research papers provided data to support the efficacy of interventions, whereas 2 papers reported occupational performance issues. Eight opinion and eight service description papers were included. The most commonly mentioned interventions across the reviewed papers were stress and anger, or coping skills (n = 11), returning to duty (n = 9), physical training (n = 7), and sleep hygiene (n = 6). Conclusion Occupational therapists provide services to military personnel who are vulnerable to PTSD from combat and operational stress. Rarely did publications address intervention efficacy for military personnel. Additionally, there is a paucity of literature that addresses occupational therapy interventions following transition from military service for veterans with PTSD specific to facilitating reintegration to civilian life. Despite this, occupational therapists are well suited to enable military veterans to build upon their existing strengths, skills, and professional identities to minimise the impact of PTSD on daily life and to reach their full potential.

Background: Addressing human rights issues brings forth ethical and political responsibilities for occupational therapists and requires new epistemological and educational approaches. The way occupational therapists have faced these challenges has depended upon historical, cultural and social contexts. Aim and method: By means of literature review and historical analysis, this paper reflects on how occupational therapists have dealt with human matters issues and on the contemporary changes within the profession. Results and discussion: The paper portrays how Latin American occupational therapists have engaged in social transformation by choosing not to transform ethical and political problems into technical matters. Taking into account experiences and views from South Africa, Brazil and Chile, the paper outlines the importance of developing political literacy and interdisciplinary professional/postprofessional education to prepare the new generation of occupational therapists to engage in social transformation. Addressing issues of invisibility and lack of access to human rights, the paper reflects on the need of developing conceptual tools and strategies for change, and discusses the transformations being produced in contemporary occupational therapy. Conclusion: Occupational therapists and scientists need to be attentive to human rights issues. They also need to answer the call for interconnectedness in the present-day complex societies, and engage in networking and a cross-bordering dialogue. Nevertheless, although necessary and welcome, international cooperation requires a permanent exercise of cultural sensitivity, political awareness and self-awareness.

In Australia, as overseas, much discussion is given in the literature to the question of the occupational status of occupational therapy in the health division of labour. Many authors base their analysis, implicitly and explicitly, on the concept of profession derived from the so-called ‘trait’ approach. This paper critically examines the shaping influence that trait theory has exerted on occupational therapists' perspectives of profession. In doing so, the paper argues that dependence on this monistic approach goes some way towards explaining the confusion that characterizes much of the writing on the status of occupational therapy. Apart from creating confusion, it is argued that the trait approach results in a state of ‘false consciousness’ among practitioners and obscures the political character of the professionalization project. The paper concludes with a discussion of the future of occupational therapy and explains why it is unlikely that this occupation will achieve the privileges and rewards of the traditional professions.

Occupational therapy within a prison environment is a comparatively new area of practice. This paper draws on the experience of occupational therapists who have worked in “G” Division, Pentridge Prison, the only psychiatric facility of the Victorian penal system. It outlines the philosophical model used for their intervention and gives an example of its practical application. The authors hope that, through this paper, they will demystify some of the myths related to working in prisons, so as to encourage further participation of occupational therapists in this specialist field.

Occupational therapy educators are aware of the value of experience-based learning to promote safe and effective clinical skills. This paper describes the practice of reflection in group supervision undertaken by five university lecturers to enhance undergraduate experiential learning of group theory and practice. Further, this paper describes how the focal conflict model of group development was used to promote understanding of group process in both a lecturer supervision group and student training groups. The impact of supervision on our teaching practices are noted.

Health-care workers are becoming increasingly involved in the advance of computer technology. This paper explores the therapeutic use of computer technology and the present and future implications of this trend for occupational therapists. The general usefulness of computers is listed and the specific uses are explored. A discussion focusing on software selection outlines how some therapists are solving the problem of their insufficient computing and programming skills. The paper concludes with a challenge, the challenge not only to meet our computerised future with confidence and vigour but also with a sound scientific basis.

Occupational therapists and journal editors and reviewers are most likely to read and value the content of well-written scientific papers. In this paper, the six problem areas most commonly found in manuscripts submitted to this journal are discussed: (i) following publication guidelines; (ii) using appropriate terminology; (ii) informing the reader of the source of the information; (iv) providing sufficient background literature; (v) analysing and synthesizing the literature adequately; and (vi) providing continuity of content. The solutions to these problems are also described.

Hayes' (1996) analysis of common problems and solutions in writing for publication deserves a wide readership. Her paper provides novice and experienced authors with a substantive foundation for successful manuscript preparation. Hayes' primary focus, however, reflects the positivist experimental research tradition, commonly referred to as quantitative research. In this paper, I focus on the research tradition of qualitative inquiry. I note common problems and present possible solutions in reporting qualitative research. My aim is to ease the difficulties that are frequently experienced by authors, reviewers and journal editors in preparing and reviewing qualitative research manuscripts.

Background/aim: Within occupational therapy and occupational science, knowledge regarding occupation-based concepts is in the process of being developed, disseminated and acted upon internationally. It is critical to reflect on the forces shaping the ways in which this knowledge is being constructed. Method: In this paper, the ways in which cultural assumptions and values have influenced the evolving concept of occupational identity are examined through applying Kluckhohn and Strodtbeck's framework of cultural variations in values to two contemporary conceptualisations of occupational identity. Results: The analysis demonstrates the ways in which values most consistent with Western culture are embedded within and dominate these contemporary conceptualisations of occupational identity, emphasising a future orientation, achievement-based doing, individual choice, and mastery of individuals over nature. Conclusions: This paper points to conceptual boundaries within which occupational identity is currently being shaped and points to alternative possibilities in the hope of prompting dialogue and research that looks at this concept in more diverse ways. Heightened sensitivity to the influence of culture on the shaping of occupation-focussed knowledge will serve to strengthen and enrich the growth of the evolving body of knowledge pertaining to occupation, and foster culturally sensitive research and practice.

INTRODUCTION Occupational therapy often involves handwriting acquisition practices that include the non-dominant hand when improvements in the dominant hand function are not possible because of trauma or stroke. This study explored whether character tracing and using a pegboard can effectively improve the handwriting of the non-dominant hand. METHODS A randomised controlled trial involving 60 healthy university students aged ≥18 years was conducted. Participants were randomly assigned to the writing group, peg group or control group. The character recognition rate was evaluated by computer software. Furthermore, character quality and writing speed were evaluated by humans using global legibility scales. Evaluations were performed before the intervention (baseline) and on days 5 and 10 of the intervention. Using the non-dominant hand, the writing group traced characters on paper with a ballpoint pen, and the peg group used a pegboard for 15 min/day for 10 days. RESULTS Compared with the peg and control groups, the writing group showed significant improvements in the character recognition rate and global legibility scale score. However, the global legibility scale score did not improve to the same level as that achieved with the dominant hand. None of the evaluation scores of the peg group showed significant improvements compared with those of the control group. There were no significant differences in improvements in the writing speed of the writing and peg groups compared with the control group. CONCLUSION Tracing characters can improve the handwriting ability of the non-dominant hand, but using a pegboard may be less effective. Future research is needed to examine how much practice is necessary to improve the handwriting ability of the non-dominant hand sufficiently.

Every day, through their daily occupations, people create and recreate themselves and shape the world in some way. This ongoing process is an important factor in maintaining or enhancing health for individuals and communities, as well as professional associations. It can also be a major determinant of dysfunction, disease, disability or death should regular engagement in occupation not meet the needs of the people or sustain a healthy environment. In order to illustrate how occupational therapists can create themselves and shape the world in a positive way, this paper tells the stories of three women, Octavia Hill, Elizabeth Casson and Betty McIntyre, who in different ways, places and times, pioneered our profession. The paper includes brief discussion about some of the influences on, and the influence of, these women and about how knowing and reflecting on their stories can influence our future. In part, this includes the need for us to understand the depth and strength of our heritage and the power of taking a proactive stance towards increasing sociopolitical awareness of occupational therapists’ distinctive and often unappreciated view of the relationship between occupation and health.

Background: Within occupational therapy, increasing attention has been focussed on international development work. However, many have critiqued the focus of knowledge development within occupational therapy and occupational science, arguing that it is focussed on Western values. Questions arise about how occupational therapy and occupational science, and the knowledge and therapeutic technologies that are associated with these communities, will affect the ‘developing’ world, which, recently, some have described as the Majority World. Aim and method: Using Foucauldian analytical tools, this paper reflects on specific discourses that are foundational for development work. Specifically, this paper attempts to better understand how concepts like ‘occupational justice’ and the ‘occupational being’ are presented in the literature and relate to practices in international contexts. Within this analysis, attention is focussed on how practices associated with occupational development work might also be enmeshed in power dynamics. Results: This paper outlines how occupational discourses may shape and order life in particular ways and challenges researchers and practitioners to develop a better understanding of how power can operate through occupational discourses and occupational therapy practices. This paper also adds to the literature through the interpretation and explication of various theories that may underpin work in international contexts. Conclusions/future directions: Suggestions for future directions that will enable the development of more politically and culturally sensitive knowledge and practices are also explored. It is crucial that as a community we become more aware of how our theoretical frameworks may impact and shape practice.

Aims Up to 50% of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) also present with difficulties with motor proficiency. Several assessments of motor proficiency are available for occupational therapists, though the validity of these measures in an ADHD population requires further exploration. The aim of this paper was to evaluate the consistency of scores obtained using the long-form and short-form of the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency-Second Edition (BOT-2) in a school-age ADHD sample. Method The BOT-2 long-form was administered to 84 school-age children (78 males) with ADHD; short-form scores were extracted from the relevant long-form items. Results Long-form and short-form total scores were highly correlated (r = .87), though the average short-form score was significantly higher. As a categorical measure, 52 children were classified as "at-risk" for movement difficulties by the long-form; but only 36 by the short-form, yielding a false-negative rate of 30.77%. The sensitivity of short-form could be improved by raising the cut-off thresholds of short-form scores as identified by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis but did not yield practical utility. Interpretation As a continuous indicator (i.e. total scores), the short-form is comparable to the long-form. However, the short-form overestimates the child's motor proficiency relative to the long-form and yields an unacceptably high rate of false negatives as a categorical measure. The current revision of the short-form is therefore not recommended as a screening nor diagnostic instrument in an ADHD population. In the absence of ADHD-specific norms, use of the long-form provides greater opportunity for occupational therapists to identify those at-risk for movement difficulties. However, any assessment of motor proficiency should be accompanied by a broader comprehensive assessment to best understand a child's motor functioning.

INTRODUCTION: Children with sensory food aversions are at risk for nutritional problems and occupational dysfunction during daily meals. To facilitate optimal occupational performance for children with sensory food aversions, it is critical that clinicians understand child behaviour and caregiver strategy use to manage child behaviour during meals. The purpose of this paper is to examine the reliability of a novel coding scheme, the Behavioural Mealtime Coding System, and identify associations among child acceptance of preferred and targeted foods, child food exploration, and caregiver use of strategies to manage child behaviour. METHODS: Twenty-one children (aged 18-60 months) with sensory food aversions and their caregivers were recruited using a convenience sample. An observational video coding system was developed to code mealtime behaviour in 63 typical mealtime videos recorded by caregivers in the home environment. Inter-rater reliability, descriptive statistics, and bivariate correlations were calculated. RESULTS: The Behavioural Mealtime Coding System demonstrated excellent inter-rater reliability (ICC = .95). Child bites of targeted foods were associated with mealtime duration (r(s) = .51, p =.02) and events of the child licking food (r(s) = .57, p =.007). Caregiver use of threats was positively associated with child age (r(s) = .48, p =.03) and negatively associated with caregiver education level (r(s) = −.49, p =.03). CONCLUSION: For children with sensory food aversions, increasing mealtime duration by embedding positive activities to encourage food exploration may improve acceptance of healthy targeted foods. Future research is needed to better understand the complex relationships among caregiver strategy use, mealtime duration, and child mealtime behaviour.

Introduction\ud Simulated learning experiences are a common feature of many health professions’ pre‐registration curricula. However, the use of simulation within occupational therapy is still largely undefined. This scoping review seeks to identify and summarise the available evidence exploring the use of simulation within occupational therapy pre‐registration education.\ud \ud Methods\ud A search was conducted in four databases for articles published between 2009 and 2020 to identify international literature relevant to the use of simulation within occupational therapy education. Articles were evaluated using the appropriate Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) tool and key features and benefits of current simulation education were identified using thematic analysis.\ud \ud Results\ud A total of 32 papers were included within the review. Four themes were identified and explored: simulation methods, authenticity, global approaches to simulation, and relationship to practice education.\ud \ud Conclusion\ud Simulation is taking place in many different forms within occupational therapy internationally. It is positively received by students and may provide an effective replacement for practice education if focussed on professional standards and competencies. Further research into the potential effectiveness of simulation in relation to practice learning is indicated.

INTRODUCTION The prescription of powered mobility devices for clients is an important role for occupational therapists. However, the skill of may powered mobility device users to drive their devices remains unknown and clients are provided with only brief education on their use. Few assessments exist to guide mobility device use assessment, and none of these incorporate the training clients need. The aim of this paper was to investigate the inter-rater reliability of a new assessment and training tool called the Powered Mobility Device Assessment Training Tool (PoMoDATT). METHOD The PoMoDATT comprises an initial interview and then Part A- cognitive skills, Part B physical and psychosocial skills and Part C driving skills and behaviours. The assessment outcome is a profile of the client's physical, cognitive and psychosocial skills related to powered mobility device use. The driving assessments of 24 powered mobility device users were video-recorded, and four experienced occupational therapists scored the clients on the 26 items of Part C of the PoMoDATT. RESULTS Following clarification of three items which included re-scoring and data re-analysis, the inter-rater reliability for the PoMoDATT Part C items ranged from ICC (2, 1) 0.641 to 0.938 suggesting moderate to excellent agreement. CONCLUSIONS The PoMoDATT Part C has demonstrated adequate inter-rater reliability to support its use by occupational therapists to assess powered mobility device user's capacities and abilities and to highlight ongoing training needs.

Wilcock (2003) has recently reminded our profession of the importance of understanding the occupational experiences of the past, in order to recognise how historical events impact on the health of individuals and communities today. One area of Australia’s history we have found to be notably absent from occupational therapy and occupational science literature is that of the forced removal of indigenous children from their families. However, we believe this period of Australian history holds many lessons for our profession. Hence, within this paper we aim to give a brief overview of Australia’s policy of assimilation of indigenous Australians and how enactment of this policy deprived indigenous youth of engagement in culturally significant occupations. We argue that this lack of engagement of culturally significant occupations is a clear example of occupational deprivation. Whiteford (2000) describes occupational deprivation as ‘a state of preclusion from engagement in occupations of necessity and/or meaning due to factors that stand outside the immediate control of the individual’ (p. 201). Within this paper, we analyse how the forced removal of children from their families and communities, through the Commonwealth policy of assimilation, was indeed an external force of control that deprived indigenous children of culturally significant occupations. This paper outlines our analysis of three aspects of occupational deprivation we believe resulted from children being forcibly removed from their families. (i) in Deprivation of a culturally significant social environment, we discuss how indigenous children were denied access to their families, and consequently prevented from learning their cultures and their associated roles and occupations; (ii) in Spiritual deprivation of one’s land and story, we examine how children were prevented from engaging in occupations relating to the stories of their people, their land and their role within society (the Dreamings, the Dreamtime and/or the Dreaming); (iii) in Deprivation of initiation processes, we analyse how children were denied their rightful place in initiation processes, ceremonies, and occupations, leading to the preclusion of the establishment of culturally significant roles within their community. We will examine evidence of these significant forms of occupational deprivation in an attempt to gain some insight into an area of occupational justice which, so far, has been left untouched within occupational therapy literature.

Background/aim Occupation is a human right and a social determinant of health. It is also taken for granted. Having access to, and participating in, occupation, is intricately linked to positive health and wellbeing. Despite theory and evidence to support the link between occupation, health and wellbeing, occupational therapists can struggle with applying an occupation focus in practice and knowing how to use occupational frameworks to enable occupation. The purpose of this paper is to introduce the Capabilities, Opportunities, Resources and Environments (CORE) approach for inclusive and occupation-focused practice. It provides occupational therapists with a means of operationalising occupational enablement and facilitating social inclusion. Methods The CORE approach is introduced by linking its main ideas to Economist and Nobel Prize Laureate Amartya Sen's capabilities approach, as well as findings from the author's doctoral research into entrenched disadvantage and social inclusion. Practical questions guided by the CORE approach's acronym are given to explore how the approach can be utilised alongside other occupational models and frameworks to encourage strategies for effective enablement through occupation for social inclusion. Conclusion As experts in enabling occupation, occupational therapists can use the CORE approach to design occupation-focused interventions and promote inclusive occupational therapy.

Background/aim Engagement in meaningful occupation, including paid work is considered an important determinant of health, impacted by injury or illness. Dementia is one neurodegenerative syndrome with potential to compromise capacity for remaining engaged in paid employment. In response to 'ageing' populations globally, policy shifts within developed economies are increasing workforce participation for those over 45 years and eligibility ages for retirement pensions. Dementia onset is not limited to 'older age', consequently an increased impact of dementia is likely for both older workers and those experiencing younger onset dementia. Therefore, identifying and addressing workforce participation issues confronting people with dementia is becoming increasingly important for occupational therapy practice. Method This scoping review draws on peer reviewed literature to explore the impact of dementia on workers across the three domains of occupational engagement: occupational competence; occupational participation; and occupational identity using the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO). International studies published in English including full-text translations between 2000 and 2017 were identified from an incremental search of electronic databases (Web of Science; Scopus; Proquest; MEDLINE; CINAHL; and Health Business Elite) and hand searched reference lists. Results Six relevant papers were identified and retained for analysis, all reporting qualitative studies. Data were collated under the three domains of occupational engagement and further organised into emergent subcategories. While evidence was limited, person-centred approaches addressing dementia-related changes in occupational competence; workforce participation choices; and redefinition of occupational identity may mitigate negative experiences associated with transitioning from paid worker roles. Conclusion There is a significant need for further research exploring the impact of dementia on engagement in paid work. Occupational therapists have an important part to play in enabling access to person-centred interventions that promote continued engagement in meaningful occupational roles, including opportunities to extend workforce participation and engage in supported transitions to retirement.

BACKGROUND/AIM Handwriting difficulties can be detrimental to students' performance in school tests and even in public examinations. It is crucial for school-based occupational therapists to identify students with handwriting difficulties and support them with appropriate adaptive strategies. The purpose of this study is to validate a computerised assessment - the Computerised Handwriting Speed Test System (CHSTS) of both Chinese and English handwriting for Chinese secondary students and provide an objective reference for extra time allowance in paper-based examinations. METHODS The internal consistency, test-retest reliability, convergent and discriminant validity of CHSTS were examined using the data from 512 typically developing students and 64 students with special educational needs (SEN) in Hong Kong mainstream secondary schools. RESULTS Handwriting performance of senior students was better than that of junior students. High internal consistency was shown by over 0.80 Cronbach's α in all measurement items and over 0.90 item-total correlations in temporal domain items. Intra-class correlation indicated good to excellent test-retest reliability of CHSTS (all P

Background/aim: Activity pacing is one of the most widely endorsed interventions used by occupational therapists to assist clients to manage chronic pain conditions. It targets two behaviours that are thought to be maladaptive: activity avoidance and overactivity (activity engagement that severely aggravates pain). However, in more recent years, the potential for activity pacing to negatively impact activity participation has been recognised which deters habitually overactive individuals from adopting the self-management strategy. The main aim of this study was to evaluate if variances in activity participation can be explained by how individuals approach activity engagement when in pain. Methods: Sixty-eight adults with chronic pain completed a demographic questionnaire, the Pain and Activity Relations Questionnaire (PARQ), and recorded their participation in activities for five days using a paper diary. Two of the authors independently coded the recorded activities into one of three time-use categories: rest, productivity or leisure/social. A MANCOVA model was produced to examine differences in time use across four ‘approach to activity engagement’ categories which were determined by scores on the PARQ. Results: A significant multivariate effect was found. Univariate comparisons revealed that ‘overactives’ (high overactivity, low avoidance) and ‘pacers’ (low overactivity, low avoidance) spent a similar amount of time resting over the five-day period. ‘Overactives’ spent the most amount of time on productive tasks and the least amount of time on social/leisure activities out of the four subgroups. Conclusion: Results suggest that activity pacing does not negatively impact on activity participation in chronic pain populations. ‘Pacers’ spent a similar amount of time resting, and had a slightly better balance between productive tasks and leisure/social activities, when compared to ‘overactives’. The results of this study can be incorporated into patient education and highlight potential treatment avenues for individuals with chronic pain who are habitually overactive.

Background Allied health professionals working in rehabilitation often prescribe home exercise programs. Smart technology offers an alternative format for presentation of home exercise programs with potential advantages over traditional paper-based programs, but how do patients feel about this? Design This qualitative analysis was part of a convergent mixed methods design, using in depth, semi-structured interviews to explore the lived experience of patients utilising touch screen tablets to support an upper limb home exercise program post stroke. Methods Ten male participants with stroke and upper limb impairment who received home exercise programs using video and reminders on tablet computers participated. Interviews were transcribed and analysed thematically. Results There were three main themes: (1) exercises on the tablet helped patients’ recovery in a variety of ways; (2) everyone could use the tablet for their home exercise program; but (3) not everyone liked using the tablet. Conclusions and significance of the study Smart technology is increasingly accessible and provides a novel, convenient way to provide home exercise programs post stroke with a number of benefits. This technology is not for everyone, but may be well suited to patients who already own and use these devices in daily life. Automated reminders were not viewed as a useful reminder tool.

BACKGROUND: The transition from work to retirement is a complex process and unique experience with a relationship existing between work and retirement with implications for health in later life. This review explored the relationship between pre-retirement job and participation in the work-to-retirement transition process in Australia by exploring: (i) factors influencing retirement in relation to pre-retirement job; (ii) how jobs are classified; (iii) the effect of pre-retirement job (based on categories) on this occupational transition; and (iv) the potential role for occupational therapy in this occupational transition. METHOD: An integrative literature review was completed. PRISMA guidelines were used. Study designs were analysed for methodological quality using the National Health and Medical Research Council levels of evidence. Thematic analysis determined retirement factors which were used to compare differences between jobs. RESULTS: This review included 15 papers. There were two Level III-2, one Level III-3 and 13 Level IV studies. Factors influencing retirement related to the stages of work, preparation, transition and retired. White collar and blue collar was the most common job classification system. Although white collar and blue collar worker definitions utilised were inconsistent, differences between the two groups were still determined in all stages. CONCLUSION: Differences in the work-to-retirement transition process, based on pre-retirement job, are evident. Understanding differences by job groupings may assist occupational therapists to understand individualised needs during this occupational transition and subsequent tailoring of interventions (both individual and group based) to enable engagement in meaningful occupation in the work-to-retirement occupational transition to effect active healthy ageing.

Background/aim Reform of health organisations has brought significant changes to healthcare systems with attendant consequences for the definition and practice of professionalism. Occupational therapists must continually strive to provide excellent patient care, delivering positive patient outcomes whilst responding effectively to increasing fiscal constraint and changing organisational paradigms. This paper explores the experiences of occupational therapists as they reconstruct professionalism as a consequence of health care reform in England. Method Fourteen occupational therapists were interviewed over 12 months across five National Health Service organisations in England. Each participant was interviewed three times and was asked to keep a monthly diary of critical incidents. A process of narrative analysis was developed to analyse these data. Results Findings suggest that changes have occurred in the National Health Service which affects notions of professional values, expertise, status and accountability. However, far from seeing themselves as mere responders to stimuli, occupational therapists tell of mediating policies, of responding, experimenting and redefining choices whilst struggling to reconstruct professionalism. Conclusions It is suggested that professionalism can be conceived as a reflexive ethical concept in that it is through the process of reflecting on the discursive and behavioural options and values available that occupational therapists come to understand, and define their professional selves.

Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and HealthService, Cairns, Queensland, AustraliaBackground/aim: Evidence-based practice and researchare beginning and endpoints on a research continuum.Progression along the continuum builds research capacity.Occupational Therapy has a low evidence base, thus, clini-cians are not implementing evidence-based practice orpublishing research. Barriers to implementing evidence-based practice and engaging in research include a lack ofconfidence. This research gauged Occupational Therapists’research experience, support needs and barriers, andcompared levels of research anxiety between allied healthdisciplines.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was sent to HealthPractitioners in northern Queensland in May–June 2011.Responses about experience, support needs and barriers,between Occupational Therapists, were analysed usingChi-square ‘goodness of fit’ tests. Multivariate analysiscompared responses between disciplines about researchanxiety. This paper reports results for the subset ofOccupational Therapists.Results: The whole population, consisting of 152 Occupa-tional Therapists, was sent a questionnaire, from which 86responded. More Occupational Therapists than not hadexperience of evidence-based practice and less support wasrequired, but they had little experience of producingresearch and required more support. The amount of sup-port required for activities along the research continuumwas inversely related to the level of experience in thesetasks. Barriers included lack of staff and time. Occupa-tional Therapists were more anxious about research (53 of79, 67%) than all other Health Practitioner disciplinescombined (170 of 438, 39%, P < 0.0001).Conclusion: A cohesive strategy should focus on consoli-dating Occupational Therapists’ evidence-based practiceskills and building confidence. Clinicians wishing toengage in research need access to academic support. Aca-demics and clinicians should work closely to produce clini-cally relevant research.KEY WORDS allied health, capacity building, evidence-based practice, quantitative research.

Background/aim The successful development and maintenance of professional identity is associated with professional development and retention in the health workforce. This paper explores students' perspectives on the ways pre-entry experiences and curricula content shape professional identity. Methods An online cross-sectional survey was sent to students enrolled in the final year of entry-level programmes in five countries. Descriptive statistical analyses of data were completed. Results The results reflect the perceptions of 319 respondents from five countries. Respondents identified professional education (98%) and professional socialisation during placement (92%) as curricula components with the greatest influence on professional identity formation. Discipline-specific knowledge such as, occupation-focussed models and occupational science were ranked lower than these aspects of practice. The students' length of programme and level of entry-level programme did not impact on these results. Conclusion When designing curricula educators need to be mindful that students perceive practice education and professional socialisation have the greatest affect on professional identity formation. The findings reinforce the need for curricula to provide students with a range of practice experiences, which allow the observation and application of occupation-based practices. It highlights a need for educators to provide university-based curricula activities, which better prepare students for a potential dissonance between explicit occupation-based curricula and observed practice education experiences. The study indicates the need for further research into the role curricula content, and in particular practice education, plays in the multidimensional formation of professional development within entry-level programmes.

Background/aim: Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have been reported to have play deficits, which can cause problems in occupational development. The aim of this paper was to report research findings on children with ADHD and typically developing children in relation to preference of play partners, play places, toys and type of play. Methods: Thirty-two school aged children from low socioeconomic status were divided into two groups. One group of 16 children with ADHD were matched with 16 typically developing children. Results and conclusion: There were no significant differences between the two groups in relation to play partners, with classmates being the most frequent play partner for both groups. There were significant differences between the two groups in preferred place to play. Children with ADHD preferred to play in school and typically developing children preferred to play on the street. There were significant differences in relation to toys and type of play engaged in with children with ADHD preferring educational materials and typically developing children preferring electronic games. These findings add to knowledge of Brazilian children with ADHD and their play preferences. Comparisons are made with research with Australian children with and without ADHD.

Background/aim: The assessment of executive functions is an integral component in determining fitness to drive. A structured review was conducted to identify assessment tools used to measure executive function in relation to driving and to describe these tools according to: (i) specific executive function components assessed; (ii) the tool’s validity in predicting safe driving; and (iii) clinical utility. Methods: Sixty-nine articles were reviewed, identifying 53 executive function tools/assessments used in driving research. Each tool was critically appraised and the findings were compiled in a Driving Executive Function Tool Guide. Results: Among the 53 tools, there were 27 general assessments of cognition, 19 driving-specific and seven activities of daily living/instrumental activities of daily living assessments. No single tool measured all executive function components: working memory was the most common (n = 20/53). Several tools demonstrated strong predictive validity and clinical utility. For example, tools, such as the Trail Making Test and the Maze Task, have the shortest administration time (i.e. often less than 10 minutes) and the most easily accessible method of administration (i.e. pen and paper or verbal). Driving-specific tools range from short questionnaires, such as the 10-minute Manchester Driving Behaviour Questionnaire, to more complex tools requiring about 45 minutes to administer. Conclusions and significance of the study: The appropriateness of a tool depends on the individual being assessed and on practical constraints of the clinical context. The Driving Executive Function Tool Guide provides useful information that should facilitate decision-making and selection of appropriate executive function tools in relation to driving.

Background: Handwriting is an important activity for people of all ages. Handwriting is frequently affected after stroke and other neurological conditions. However, research on the handwriting of healthy adults is difficult to find. This review aims to advance the development of evidence-informed handwriting assessment and retraining. Aim: The aim of this paper was to review factors that influence the handwriting performance of unimpaired adults, some of which are amenable to intervention. Methods: Searches were conducted of eight electronic databases up to April 2009 and again in November 2010. Reference lists were also used to identify potential studies of interest. No limits were placed on study design. Findings: Age: Younger adults write more legibly and faster than older adults. Gender: Women write faster and more legibly than men. Pengrip: Grips other than the traditional dynamic tripod are functional, producing legible text in an acceptable time. Pen pressure: Pressure varies with different letters, words, text size, speed and across a page of text. Error corrections and a mixed writing style occur in healthy adult handwriting. Research was inconclusive about the association between speed, pressure and upper limb movements on handwriting performance. Other factors able to predict adult handwriting legibility have been largely unexplored. Discussion: A number of knowledge and research gaps about adult handwriting were identified, including the need for more contemporary normative data.

Wheelchair seating should provide children with disabilities with an external support system from which to gain postural and movement control. The importance of correct pelvic positioning has been extensively discussed in the literature in relation to maintaining correct spinal curvature and muscle balance, and providing a stable base of support for the trunk and upper body. The effects of positioning on the trunk/spine complex has been quantitatively investigated in relation to non-disabled adults, but little literature is available in relation to children. Of significance to occupational therapists is the effect of trunk/spine positioning on the developing child with a disability. This paper reviews the quantitative literature on seating and assesses the application of research on adults with and without a disability to the child with a disability. Awareness of potential physical stress areas —muscles, ligaments and joints, enables informed practice by occupational therapists. However, it is evident that there are constraints in relating information from research with adults to children with disabilities.

Asthma is a bronchial disorder where many factors may effect the onset, severity and course of the disorder. The authors present a critical review of the literature relevant to the physiology of childhood asthma and psychological aspects of its development and maintenance. The limitations of psychoanalytic theory and learning theory as applied to asthma are discussed. The second part of this paper focuses on recent psychological therapy and will appear in a subsequent issue of the Australian Occupational Therapy Journal.

This paper traces the developmental tasks of the adolescent and the special significance they have for the disabled youth. The author then focuses on the challenges facing disabled adolescents in their daily activities of living. Included is a record of interview with six students in which they describe their needs and how the staff of their special school can help meet their needs.

Over the past decade, there has been an increasing focus in the occupational therapy literature on theory and theoretical frameworks. This paper explores the confusion that surrounds some of the terminology used in this literature. The disparity between different theorists' use of terms such as model, paradigm, frame of reference and approach is highlighted. An analysis of major occupational therapy texts and articles on theoretical frameworks from 1962 to 1992 revealed four types of occupational therapy model. The author suggests that attempts by theorists to define terms have been as much an attempt to describe these models as to clarify terminology. A hierarchy of these models is proposed and the individual's role in interpreting and filtering models is also considered. This article is reprinted from the Australian Occupational Therapy Journal (1994) 41, 115–122, by kind permission of the author and of Blackwell Scientific Pty. Ltd.

Those who organise and deliver health services to migrants are predominantly of Anglo-Celtic origin. They have had little opportunity either through their life experiences or through their professional training to become aware of the political, economic and social conditions that existed in Australia following the second world war. This paper describes the five main phases of post World War II immigration and explores the origins of social attitudes that underpin the responses of some members of the receiving society to the arrival of successive waves of immigrants. While the ethic upon which migration has been based has moved from assimilationist through integrationist, to that of ethic minorities with minority's rights, the ethic informing the delivery of health services seems to have remained, predominantly, in the assimilationist mould. Structural changes which have occurred, such as interpreter services, tend to entrench further existing health care delivery practices, averting the need for far reaching change. The experiences of some therapists attached to the Occupational Therapy Industrial Unit of Royal South Sydney Hospital are reviewed and some strategies to reduce the impact of an “accident victim syndrome” through preventative intervention at the workplace are discussed. It is suggested that more documentation of the experience of therapists caring for patients with a migrant background may lead to improved patient care.