Directions for advancing the study of work transitions in the 21st century.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this article is to share the details, outcomes and deliverables from an international workshop on work transitions in London, Ontario, Canada. PARTICIPANTS: Researchers, graduate students, and community group members met to identity ways to advance the knowledge base of strategies to enhance work participation for those in the most disadvantaged groups within society. METHODS: A participatory approach was used in this workshop with presentations by researchers and graduate students. This approach included dialogue and discussion with community members. In addition, small group dialogue and debate, world cafe discussions, written summaries of group discussion and reflection boards were used to bring new ideas to the discussion and to build upon what we know. FINDINGS: Two research imperatives and six research recommendations were identified to advance global dialogue on work transitions and to advance the knowledge base. Occupational justice can be used to support future research directions in the study of work transitions. CONCLUSIONS: Moving forward requires a commitment of community of researchers, clinicians and stakeholders to address work disparities and implement solutions to promote participation in work.

Understanding how traumatic re-enactment impacts the workplace: assisting clients' successful return to work.

BACKGROUND: This research explores the observation that people who have had traumatic life experiences may connect with work in an unhealthy way, impacting their ability to return to work successfully. PURPOSE: This research aims to understand how past traumatic experiences influence career choice and workplace behaviour and, given this understanding, consider how occupational therapists can facilitate change towards a successful return to work. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were used to gather information from twenty-five clients experiencing depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder. Clients were followed for six months following their planned return to work date. FINDINGS: Participants identified re-enacting unhealthy past experiences at work through: focusing on the needs of others, seeking acceptance and avoidance. Healthy change was created through engaging in coping strategies and partnering with the occupational therapist and workplace stakeholders on return to work planning. IMPLICATIONS: To facilitate a successful return to work, clients must become aware of how their traumatic histories play a role in their current career choices and workplace behavior. With this awareness, occupational therapists and clients may work together towards creating healthy change in the present.

It's the activity that counts: what clients value in psycho-educational groups.

BACKGROUND: This qualitative pilot research study provides client-centred outcomes by evaluating psycho-educational groups from the clients'perspective. PURPOSE: This study was designed to determine what clients value in three psycho-educational groups offered in an acute inpatient psychiatric setting. METHODS: Interviews lasting 30 to 60 minutes relating to the 8 participants group experiences were recorded and transcribed verbatim. A constant comparative approach was used to analyze data allowing for both expected and emergent themes to be integrated into later interviews. RESULTS: Identified themes were group structure, readiness to attend groups and process information, and group milieu. Participants valued voluntary attendance and supportive milieu of groups. Insertion of relevant activity into groups to promote interaction, learning and information retention was also valued. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Occupational therapists offering mental health groups should consider a number of factors. These include the importance of transitioning clients from activity groups to psycho-educational groups, as well as the value clients place in determining their readiness to attend a group and having a supportive milieu with limits to emotional disclosure.