Epilepsy professionals' views on sudden unexpected death in epilepsy counselling: A tale of two countries.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is a leading cause of epilepsy mortality. All international guidance strongly advocates for clinicians working with people with epilepsy (PWE) to discuss SUDEP. Clinician views working with PWE in the UK and Norway on SUDEP counselling are compared. METHODS: A cross-sectional online mixed methodology survey of 17 Likert and free-text response questions using validated themes was circulated via International League against Epilepsy/Epilepsy Specialist Nurses Association in the UK and International League against Epilepsy/Epilepsinet in Norway using a non-discriminatory exponential snowballing technique leading to non-probability sampling. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis, chi-squared and Fisher's exact tests. Significance was accepted at p < 0.05. Thematic analysis was conducted on free-text responses. RESULTS: Of 309 (UK 197, Norway 112) responses, UK clinicians were more likely to have experienced an SUDEP (p < 0.001), put greater importance on SUDEP communication (p < 0.001), discuss SUDEP with all PWE particularly new patients (p < 0.001), have access and refer to bereavement support (p < 0.001) and were less likely to never discuss SUDEP (p < 0.001). Significant differences existed between both countries' neurologists and nurses in SUDEP counselling with UK clinicians generally being more supportive. UK responders were more likely to be able to identify bereavement support (p < 0.001). Thematic analysis highlighted four shared themes and two specific to Norwegians. DISCUSSION: Despite all international guidelines stating the need/importance to discuss SUDEP with all PWE there remain hesitation, avoidance and subjectivity in clinicians having SUDEP-related conversations, more so in Norway than the UK. Training and education are required to improve communication, engagement and decision making.

"Untold Distress" - How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect those who had previously experienced an epilepsy-related bereavement?

PURPOSE: This study explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown on people with lived experience of sudden bereavement as a consequence of an epilepsy-related death. METHOD: We developed an online survey with fixed choice and open-ended response formats to collect data on grief symptoms and well-being during the pandemic. A total of 275 people bereaved by epilepsy-related deaths between 1980-2020 participated in this study: with 79 participants providing free-text responses for inductive thematic analysis. RESULTS: In total, 84% of participants reported a bereavement following a sudden death of a person aged under 40, with 22% aged 19 and under. The majority (77% of participants) reported they had been thinking more about the person who died compared to before the COVID-19 outbreak and 54% had experienced more distressing flashbacks to the time of death. Additionally, 61% reported more difficulties falling asleep and staying asleep and 88% of participants reported that the outbreak and response measures had negatively impacted upon their mental health. Medication was being taken for a diagnosed mental health condition by 33% of participants at the time of the study. We categorized these negative experiences during COVID in to four main-themes - 'Family', 'Lifestyle', 'Personal Well-being' and 'Health Services and Shielding Populations'. The 'Personal Well-being' theme was inextricably linked to grief symptoms including 'reflection on the death', 're-exposure to feeling', 'grief', 'salience of sudden deaths in the media' and 'inability to commemorate anniversaries and rituals'. These findings were consistent for bereaved people irrespective of the recency of the death. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the impact of the disruption caused by the pandemic on the grief-management of those bereaved by epilepsy-related death. Grief is not static and its management is connected to the psychosocial and formal support structures that were disrupted during the pandemic. The removal of these supports had an adverse effect upon the mental health and well-being of many bereaved. There is an urgent need for a system-wide transformation of epilepsy and mental health services to be inclusive of the needs and experiences of people impacted by sudden deaths in epilepsy and the contribution of the specialist service developed by families and clinicians to meet this gap.

An exploratory international survey of the assessments and interventions used by occupational therapists and physiotherapists during the hospitalization of people with Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Guillain-Barré syndrome is a rare neurological condition. Although some people make a substantial functional recovery, almost half require intensive rehabilitation. Data were collected using a cross-sectional survey which investigated the assessments and interventions used by occupational therapists and physiotherapists for people with Guillain-Barré syndrome. Seventy valid responses were received from 10 countries. The survey highlighted four factors about current practice: (i) practitioners did not identify the use of formal clinical guidelines or protocols for Guillain-Barré Syndrome treatment of the upper limb; (ii) a range of standardized and non-standardized assessment and goal-setting tools are utilized; (iii) interventions include passive and active range of motion exercises, and the prescription of upper limb/hand splints; and (iv) interdisciplinary practice is common in the intensive care unit and during acute phases of Guillain-Barré syndrome, whereas discipline-specific work is more common during rehabilitation. A range of goal-setting and assessment tools are used by occupational therapists and physiotherapists during the hospitalization of people with Guillain-Barré syndrome. The type and duration of interventions vary and may reflect the lack of international protocols for Guillain-Barré syndrome rehabilitation.

Exploring the use of powered mobility devices and occupational participation for people with obesity.

BACKGROUND: The increasing prevalence of obesity is a global issue with the World Health Organization estimating that more than 650 million adults are impacted by obesity. Those living with obesity are impacted by both physical and psychological issues. The physical consequences of living with obesity can lead to decreased mobility and reduced occupational participation. The aim of this research is to understand how the use of a powered mobility device influences occupational participation and quality of life from the perspective of people with obesity. METHOD: Semi-structured qualitative interviews (n = 7) were undertaken with a phenomenological approach to gain an understanding of the lived experience of using a powered mobility device. RESULTS: Thematic analysis occurred resulting in inter-connected themes that describe the positive experiences associated with using a powered mobility device: (1) autonomous mobility; (2) enhanced occupational participation; and (3) improved self-efficacy creates increased confidence in relation to participation. In addition, two themes emerged that were barriers to usage of powered mobility devices: (4) physical environmental barriers and (5) difficulty transporting the powered mobility device. CONCLUSION: For those with obesity, a powered mobility device provided autonomous mobility allowing them to engage in an increased range of activities. This was hampered by physical environmental barriers and difficulties transporting the powered mobility device. Further research is required to verify the results of this study with a wider population and to explore the benefits and barriers to use of a powered mobility device in the home and community.

Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) and seizure safety: Modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors differences between primary and secondary care.

INTRODUCTION: The SUDEP and Seizure Safety Checklist ("Checklist") is a risk factors Checklist based around a person with epilepsy (PWE) demographics, seizure, physical, psychological, and lifestyle issues. The Checklist provides a cumulative picture of current risk when applied to a PWE. This study compares and contrasts risk factors of PWE in primary versus secondary care. METHODS: The Checklist was applied to all PWE registered in four primary care practices in central Cornwall UK (pop: 120,000). Individual, modifiable, non-modifiable, and total risk factors and scores were compared between PWE open to secondary care and those not. Statistical tests were used to calculate significance of individual risk factors in primary or secondary care, to compare the total risk scores between care settings and to find the frequency differences of each risk factor between primary practices. RESULTS: People with total and non-modifiable risk scores were higher in secondary care (both p < 0.001). However, modifiable risk scores were higher in primary care (p < 0.001). Psychiatric concerns were the most prevalent modifiable risk factor in primary care. There were significant differences in the risk profiles between all four primary care practices. CONCLUSION: This study highlights that there is a lack of clarity on who is referred to secondary care and when. There needs to be an evidence-based system to allow for a bidirectional flow of PWE considering their fluctuating risk. The Checklist can be a decision support tool to enable this.

Evaluating risk to people with epilepsy during the COVID-19 pandemic: Preliminary findings from the COV-E study.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused global anguish unparalleled in recent times. As cases rise, increased pressure on health services, combined with severe disruption to people's everyday lives, can adversely affect individuals living with chronic illnesses, including people with epilepsy. Stressors related to disruption to healthcare, finances, mental well-being, relationships, schooling, physical activity, and increased isolation could increase seizures and impair epilepsy self-management. We aim to understand the impact that COVID-19 has had on the health and well-being of people with epilepsy focusing on exposure to increased risk of seizures, associated comorbidity, and mortality. We designed two online surveys with one addressing people with epilepsy directly and the second for caregivers to report on behalf of a person with epilepsy. The survey is ongoing and has yielded 463 UK-based responses by the end of September 2020. Forty percent of respondents reported health changes during the pandemic (n = 185). Respondents cited a change in seizures (19%, n = 88), mental health difficulties (34%, n = 161), and sleep disruption (26%, n = 121) as the main reasons. Thirteen percent found it difficult to take medication on time. A third had difficulty accessing medical services (n = 154), with 8% having had an appointment canceled (n = 39). Only a small proportion reported having had discussions about epilepsy-related risks, such as safety precautions (16%, n = 74); mental health (29%, n = 134); sleep (30%, n = 140); and Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP; 15%, n = 69) in the previous 12 months. These findings suggest that people with epilepsy are currently experiencing health changes, coupled with inadequate access to services. Also, there seems to be a history of poor risk communication in the months preceding the pandemic. As the UK witnesses a second COVID-19 wave, those involved in healthcare delivery must ensure optimal care is provided for people with chronic conditions, such as epilepsy, to ensure that avoidable morbidity and mortality is prevented during the pandemic, and beyond.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people with epilepsy: Findings from the Brazilian arm of the COV-E study.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on people and healthcare services. The disruption to chronic illnesses, such as epilepsy, may relate to several factors ranging from direct infection to secondary effects from healthcare reorganization and social distancing measures. OBJECTIVES: As part of the COVID-19 and Epilepsy (COV-E) global study, we ascertained the effects of COVID-19 on people with epilepsy in Brazil, based on their perspectives and those of their caregivers. We also evaluated the impact of COVID-19 on the care delivered to people with epilepsy by healthcare workers. METHODS: We designed separate online surveys for people with epilepsy and their caregivers. A further survey for healthcare workers contained additional assessments of changes to working patterns, productivity, and concerns for those with epilepsy under their care. The Brazilian arm of COV-E initially collected data from May to November 2020 during the country's first wave. We also examined national data to identify the Brazilian states with the highest COVID-19 incidence and related mortality. Lastly, we applied this geographic grouping to our data to explore whether local disease burden played a direct role in difficulties faced by people with epilepsy. RESULTS: Two hundred and forty-one people returned the survey, 20% were individuals with epilepsy (n = 48); 22% were caregivers (n = 53), and 58% were healthcare workers (n = 140). Just under half (43%) of people with epilepsy reported health changes during the pandemic, including worsening seizure control, with specific issues related to stress and impaired mental health. Of respondents prescribed antiseizure medication, 11% reported difficulty taking medication on time due to problems acquiring prescriptions and delayed or canceled medical appointments. Only a small proportion of respondents reported discussing significant epilepsy-related risks in the previous 12 months. Analysis of national COVID-19 data showed a higher disease burden in the states of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro compared to Brazil as a whole. There were, however, no geographic differences observed in survey responses despite variability in the incidence of COVID-19. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that Brazilians with epilepsy have been adversely affected by COVID-19 by factors beyond infection or mortality. Mental health issues and the importance of optimal communication are critical during these difficult times. Healthcare services need to find nuanced approaches and learn from shared international experiences to provide optimal care for people with epilepsy as the direct burden of COVID-19 improves in some countries. In contrast, others face resurgent waves of the pandemic.

Improving epilepsy management with EpSMon: A Templar to highlight the multifaceted challenges of incorporating digital technologies into routine clinical practice.

The digital epilepsy self-monitor (EpSMon) app was developed to address the challenge of improving risk education and management in the UK. The tool, which has emerged out of quality improvement methodology, demonstrates efficacy and has been met with peer-reviewed support and international awards. The focus of this paper is about the development and integration into care of a digital self-assessment epilepsy risk empowerment tool into the UK health system. This paper provides detail into the specific challenges of incorporating a digital epilepsy intervention into routine clinical practice. Despite a strong narrative and evidence, the engagement of commissioners, clinicians, and people with epilepsy is slow. A breakdown of the strategies used, the current governance landscape, and emerging opportunities to develop an informed implementation strategy is provided to support others who seek to create impact with digital solutions for people with epilepsy. This paper is for the Special Issue: Prevent 21: SUDEP Summit - Time to Listen".

Bridging the gap of risk communication and management using the SUDEP and Seizure Safety Checklist.

Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is a tragic condition and, despite varied risk levels among the population with epilepsy, is the cause of significant premature mortality. In the last 20 years, though awareness of SUDEP has increased among epilepsy professionals, little has changed with regard to the death rates per se, in rates of informing people with epilepsy (PWE) of their person-centered SUDEP risks, or in the awareness levels of nonepilepsy clinicians, such as, primary care practitioners and hospital doctors. The challenges to make aware and inform PWE have been multifold, in particular, 'when', 'what', and 'how' to tell about SUDEP. Current guidance recognizes that to improve SUDEP rates, it is important to engage proactively with PWE. There is a need to bring shared responsibility between clinicians and PWE to help mitigate the risk of SUDEP. To enable this, a meaningful evidence-based person-centered conversation is essential. The SUDEP and Seizure Safety Checklist ("Checklist") was created to facilitate this. This paper showcases the background, concept, development, implementation, feasibility and validity studies undertaken, challenges, barriers, and limitations of the eight-year Checklist project, which has moved from a single clinic to an international presence. It outlines the need to further reform SUDEP risk communication recognizing the differences between a basic risk message at time of diagnosis as advocated by current good practice guidance and the need for a more person-centered discussion on a regular basis for which the Checklist can be a key catalyst. This article is part of the Special Issue "Prevent 21: SUDEP Summit - Time to Listen".

Factors to consider during the implementation of nutrition and physical activity trials for people with psychotic illness into an Australian community setting.

BACKGROUND: Research in lifestyle interventions focusing on nutrition and physical activity in people living with psychotic illness, highlights anthropometric and metabolic benefits of these interventions. However, little is known about potential factors to consider during implementation into real-world contexts. Community-managed organisations (CMOs) that provide services for people with mental illness, offer an ideal implementation context for lifestyle interventions. Successful translation of lifestyle interventions into CMOs may be achieved though considering the factors associated with program access and delivery in these settings. This study primarily aimed to identify the factors that affect program access in a local CMO from the perspective of consumers and staff. The secondary aim was to describe the elements that impact on program delivery from the perspective of staff. METHODS: Thirteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with 6 consumers and 7 staff in a CMO in regional Australia. Topics explored in interviews were based on implementation concepts identified in the "Integrated Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Systems" (i-PARIHS) knowledge translation framework. Thematic data analysis was conducted using Nvivo software. RESULTS: Emergent themes on issues that influenced program access were (1) consumer financial status, domestic responsibilities, and health; (2) the design and delivery of programs; (3) structure and practices of the organisation; (4) attitude, skills and effort of staff involved in program delivery; and (5) social connections and stigma experienced by consumers during program access. Moreover, staff perceptions on elements that impacted program delivery highlighted themes on consumer attendance and interest in prospective programs, availability and restrictions to the use of funding, as well as the organisational structure and practices. CONCLUSIONS: The factors affecting program access and delivery can generally be managed or planned for during the design of lifestyle interventions and subsequent translation into the CMO context. However, resolution of issues related to consumer financial status and health requires the collaboration of various government sectors for system-wide solutions.

Occupational therapy for military personnel and military veterans experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder: A scoping review.

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.

Evaluation of a multifactorial approach to reduce the prevalence of pressure injuries in regional Australian acute inpatient care settings.

The aim of the study was to compare the changes in the prevalence of pressure injuries from 2008 to 2014 in relation to staff behaviour in acute/subacute inpatient care settings. In 2008, the large regional health district Hunter New England Local Health District implemented an initiative called the Crystal Model which resulted in changes in their policy and an e-learning education program for all nursing staff. A retrospective cross sectional study compared data from the 2008, 2010 and 2014 point prevalence surveys of PI in acute services. These were collected as part of an annual pressure injury prevention and management quality audit for adult inpatients. The total number of participants included 1407 participants in 2008, 1331 participants in 2010 and 1199 participants in 2014. From 2008 to 2014 there was a 15.7% decrease in percentage of patients with hospital-acquired pressure injuries and the percentages of each stage of pressure of injury 1-4 decreased. From 2008 to 2014 the completion and documentation of risk assessment, the documentation of repositioning and the implementation of pressure-relieving equipment increased. A multifactorial model can reduce the prevalence of pressure injuries in acute inpatient settings. The theories of knowledge translation and the modified Theory of Planned Behaviour can be utilised to analyse changes in health professionals habituated pressure injury prevention practice.

Simulated versus traditional occupational therapy placements: A randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Professional practise placements in occupational therapy education are critical to ensuring graduate competence. Australian occupational therapy accreditation standards allow up to 200 of a mandated 1000 placement hours to include simulation-based learning. There is, however, minimal evidence about the effectiveness of simulation-based placements compared to traditional placements in occupational therapy. We evaluated whether occupational therapy students completing a 40 hour (one week block) Simulated Clinical Placement (SCP) attained non-inferior learning outcomes to students attending a 40 hour Traditional Clinical Placement (TCP). METHODS: A pragmatic, non-inferiority, assessor-blinded, multicentre, randomised controlled trial involving students from six Australian universities was conducted. Statistical power analysis estimated a required sample of 425. Concealed random allocation was undertaken with a 1:1 ratio within each university. Students were assigned to SCP or TCP in one of three settings: vocational rehabilitation, mental health or physical rehabilitation. SCP materials were developed, manualised and staff training provided. TCPs were in equivalent practice areas. Outcomes were assessed using a standardised examination, unit grades, the Student Practice Evaluation Form-Revised and student confidence survey. A generalised estimating equation approach was used to assess non-inferiority of the SCP to the TCP. RESULTS: Of 570 randomised students (84% female), 275 attended the SCP and 265 the TCP (n = 540, 94.7% retention). There were no significant differences between the TCP and SCP on (i) examination results (marginal mean difference 1.85, 95% CI: 0.46-3.24; P = 0.087); (ii) unit score (mean (SD) SCP: 71.9 (8.8), TCP: 70.34 (9.1); P = 0.066); or (iii) placement fail rate, assessed using the Student Practice Evaluation Form-Revised (100% passed both groups). CONCLUSION: Students can achieve equivalent learning outcomes in a 40 hour simulated placement to those achieved in a 40 hour traditional placement. These findings provide assurance to students, educators and professional accreditation bodies that simulation can be embedded in occupational therapy education with good effect.

An exploratory study into the application of psychological theories and therapies in Australian mental health occupational therapy practice: Challenges to occupation-based practice.

BACKGROUND: While legitimate practice tools have been the subject of debate within the profession, little attention has been paid to psychological frames of reference (PFsOR). Hence, this article explores the ways psychological theories and therapies shape occupation-based practice in mental health settings. METHODOLOGY: Narrative inquiry methods and thematic analysis were used to explore the career stories of nine occupational therapists who had worked in mental health practice for more than five years. FINDINGS: Respondents found it difficult to hold onto their occupational focus in the psychology-dominated world of mental health practice. The main themes to emerge were (i) tension between occupation and psychology; (ii) overwhelming pressures to adopt PFsOR; (iii) resistance to PFsOR; and (iv) using PFsOR to enhance professional repertoires. Findings pointed to the need to ensure PFsOR include occupational considerations for occupation-based practice in mental health. CONCLUSION: A occupation-based perspective means balancing PFsOR with occupation-based considerations, so service-user issues are holistically addressed. There is a need to critically review occupational therapists' use of PFsOR lest their most visible practical actions appear psychologically based rather than occupation based.

Factors shaping e-feedback utilization following electronic Objective Structured Clinical Examinations.

The development of student-practitioners' practical clinical skills is essential in health professional education. Objective Structured Clinical Examinations are central to the assessment of students performing clinical procedures on simulated patients (actors). While feedback is considered core to learning providing timely, individualised student OSCE feedback is difficult. This study explored the perceptions of students about the multiple factors which shape the utility of e-feedback following an electronic Objective Structured Clinical Examinations, which utilized iPad and specialised software. The e-feedback was trialled in four courses within occupational therapy and physiotherapy pre-professional programs with a cohort of 204 students. Evaluation of student perceptions about feedback was collected using two surveys and eight focus groups. This data showed three factors shaped perceptions of the utility of e- Objective Structured Clinical Examinations feedback: 1) timely accessibility within one day of the assessment, 2) feedback demonstrating examiners' academic literacy and 3) feedback orientated to ways of improving future performance of clinical skills. The study found training in the provision of feedback using IPads and software is needed for examiners to ensure e-feedback meets students' needs for specific, future-oriented e-feedback and institutional requirements for justification of grades.

An exploratory international study into occupational therapy students' perceptions of professional identity.

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.

Nurse provision of healthy lifestyle advice to people who are overweight or obese.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in a regional area in Australia to measure nurses' perceptions, practices, and knowledge in regard to providing healthy lifestyle advice to people who are overweight or obese. Responses were compared between geographic regions. Participation was voluntary and anonymous. Of the 79 nurse participants, 68% considered that provision of healthy lifestyle advice was within their scope of practice. Only 28% reported frequently estimating body mass index in the practice setting. Nurses often recommended increasing activity levels (44%), but recommended reducing daily caloric intake less often (25%). Nurses' knowledge about weight management was variable and the proportion of correct answers to knowledge items ranged from 33-99%. Nurses have many opportunities to deliver healthy lifestyle advice in a range of practice settings. The variation in practices and knowledge of nurses indicates a need for improved healthy lifestyle education for undergraduate and practicing nurses.

The influence of practice educators on occupational therapy students' understanding of the practical applications of theoretical knowledge: a phenomenological study into student experiences of practice education.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Practice education is a compulsory component of all entry-level programmes in the health professions. It is used as a teaching strategy to connect theoretical knowledge, such as occupation-focussed models with practice. The study aimed to explore students' perceptions about the influence of practice educators on their understanding of the use of occupation-focussed models in practice. METHODS: Using a phenomenological approach, semi-structured interviews gained an understanding of six participants' experiences of their practice education. Interview transcripts were analysed thematically. FINDINGS: Three themes emerged from participants' experiences of practice education. 'Explaining the theory-practice nexus' referred to participants' difficulties in distinguishing between different forms of theoretical knowledge, it described educators struggle to fulfil the dual roles of educator and practitioner' when articulating the theoretical knowledge underpinning practice. This often led participants taking an active role in their own learning. 'Experiencing dissonance between university-based studies and the real-world' described the difference between the importance university studies placed on theory in comparison to practice. 'Creating a positive mindset for the use of theoretical knowledge in practice for future practice' illustrated strategies used by some practice educators to articulate the use of theoretical knowledge. CONCLUSIONS: The study highlighted practice educators role in shaping students' perceptions of theoretical knowledge use in professional reasoning. The increased recognition of practice educators on the implicit curricula creates an onus on the university sector to provide discussion and information exchanges to increase educators' opportunities to develop, update and increase their skills in describing and using theoretical knowledge to underpin practice.

An Investigation of the Professional Resilience Strategies Used by Experienced Occupational Therapists.

There is a paucity of research into the strategies occupational therapists use to maintain career longevity professional resilience. The objective of the study was to identify the strategies used by occupational therapists to maintain their professional resilience. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze data from a cross-sectional survey that investigated the professional resilience strategies used by experienced occupational therapists. Valid responses were received from 489 occupational therapists from 29 countries. The most used professional resilience strategies were maintaining a belief in the value of occupational therapy, taking time for reflection on positive outcomes, using personal time management strategies, and engagement in informal and formal professional support networks. A range of professional resilience strategies are used by experienced occupational therapists in health and social care settings. The findings can be used by managers and workplace organizations to support their occupational therapy workforce.

The Professional Resilience Strategies Used by Experienced Occupational TherapistsWhile multiple studies have reported on the challenges in workplaces, there is a lack of research discussing what strategies experienced occupational therapists use to maintain their career longevity. The paper reports on the findings of a survey of 495 occupational therapy respondents, which identified the range of professional resilience strategies experienced practitioners use in practice. The findings can be used by managers and workplace organizations to support the strategies that extend the career longevity of their occupational therapy workforce.