Occupational therapists views on addressing the sexuality of adult clients in rehabilitation settings: A qualitative focus group study.

Sexuality is a common concern among people with disabilities or chronic conditions, and failure to address sexuality can lead to poorer rehabilitation outcomes. To explore the factors affecting addressing the sexuality of adult clients in clinical practice as perceived by Korean Occupational Therapists (OTs) and the perspective on what needs to be established to address sexuality in occupational therapy practice. This descriptive qualitative study using focus group interviews was conducted with 15 OTs providing rehabilitation services for adult clients in the post-onset maintenance phase or for outpatients in Seoul, South Korea. Data collected through focus groups were analyzed using the constant comparative method. The main factors influencing addressing clients sexuality in clinical practice were identified: "absence of institutional system for addressing sexuality in rehabilitation setting" for environmental factors; "lack of professional competency" for therapist-related factors; and "repressed sexuality" for client-related factors. Moreover, recognizing that "sexual health is one of the goals of rehabilitation" and prioritizing it in rehabilitation settings are essential. OTs must be "experts with knowledge and skills" to access the client's sexuality, and "education and publicity" should be actively conducted to raise awareness of sexual health for clients. To deal with clients sexuality, institutional preparation should be prioritized under the recognition that sexual health is one of the goals of rehabilitation. In addition, it is necessary to prepare a relevant curriculum for OTs and create awareness so that clients can recognize improving sexual activity as a role of OTs.

Digital learning designs in occupational therapy education: a scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Digital learning is a rapidly advancing method for teaching and learning in professional health education. Although various digital learning designs have been tried in OT education, studies on digital learning designs are still limited. METHODS: We conducted a scoping study that aimed to identify the digital learning designs used in occupational therapy (OT) education and review the effectiveness, learner perceptions, clinical skills integrated, and technology-based learning strategies used to facilitate learning. Four databases were searched using subheadings and terms relating to digital learning, occupational therapy, and education. The included studies were mapped according to the types of digital learning design, subjects, key clinical skills, and outcomes. RESULTS: Twenty-two studies were included in this review, most of which were qualitative, observational, or mixed studies of the two designs. The digital learning designs identified in OT education were flipped, blended, hybrid, and distance learning, including e-learning and massive open online courses (MOOC). Among the components of clinical skills, professional reasoning and procedural knowledge were the most integrated into digital learning, and covered various OT subjects. Digital learning designs were reported to be equivalent to or more effective than the traditional face-to-face (F2F) class in learning outcomes of knowledge and skill acquisition, enhancing learning participation, reflection, and collaboration between learners. Various technologies have been used to promote synchronous or asynchronous active learning, providing learning strategies such as thinking, reflection, discussion, peer learning-group activity, and gamifying online learning. CONCLUSIONS: In OT digital learning, appropriate learning subjects, the arrangement of clinical skill components that can be well integrated into digital learning, and the selection of appropriate technologies for effective learning are important. The results should be confirmed within an experimental study design.

Use of Information and Communication Technology by South Korean Occupational Therapists Working in Hospitals: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The convergence and development of information and communication technology (ICT) have brought changes to occupational therapy practices, posing novel challenges for occupational therapists (OTs). This study aimed to investigate current practices of ICT use and factors affecting the clinical use of ICT among Korean OTs. An online survey was conducted among 158 domestic OTs working in hospitals. Participants reported that the therapeutic use of ICT positively affected client outcomes, ICT choice, and continued use. Participants highlighted the necessity to assess the ability of clients to use smart devices and ensure familiarity in the OT process. Of respondents, 31% reported the application of ICT-based interventions or recommendations in clinical practice. The use of ICT was predominantly associated with cognitive function, leisure activities, and information access and communication. A significant difference in barriers to ICT use was observed between familiar users and non-users. Familiar users reported a lack of knowledge and training as major barriers, whereas non-users reported expensive products or technology. Ease of use and usefulness were facilitators of ICT use among familiar users. Information and training opportunities are required to promote ICT use by OTs, and the usefulness of ICT must be realized via client-centered, customized approaches.

Use of Virtual Reality Technology to Support the Home Modification Process: A Scoping Review.

Healthcare is a field in which the benefits of virtual reality (VR), such as risk-taking without consequences, direct experience, and service outcome prediction, can be utilized. VR technology has been used to help clients face environmental barriers by implementing a home environment in virtual reality without a home visit by an expert. This scoping review was conducted to identify the areas and implementation methods of the home modification process supported by VR technology. Twelve studies met the research criteria. The following three types of tools supported by VR technology for the home modification process were identified: educational tools for clients or specialists, home environment measurement tools, and intermediaries for decision making and collaboration between clients and specialists. Most of the studies reported positive results regarding the usability and acceptability of the technology, but barriers have also been reported, such as technical problems, inappropriate population groups for technical use, cost-related issues, the need for training, and fear that the technology could replace home visits. Thus, VR technology has potential value in the home modification process. However, for future clinical applications, additional studies to maximize the benefits of these VR technologies and address the identified problems are required.

Effects of Shaker exercise in stroke survivors with oropharyngeal dysphagia.

BACKGROUND: Dysphagia after stroke can cause a variety of complications, especially aspiration pneumonia, which can be life-threatening. Therefore, rehabilitation methods to reduce aspiration in patients with dysphagia are important. OBJECTIVE: In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of Shaker exercise on aspiration and oral diet level in stroke survivors with dysphagia. METHODS: Participants were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 16) or a control group (n = 16). Participants in the experimental group performed Shaker exercise and conventional dysphagia therapy, whereas those in the control group performed only conventional dysphagia therapy. All participants performed training 5 days a week for 4 weeks. Degree of aspiration was assessed using the Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS) based on videofluoroscopic swallowing study, while oral diet level was assessed using the Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS). RESULTS: The experimental group showed greater improvement on both the PAS (p < 0.05) and FOIS (p < 0.05) compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that Shaker exercise is a effective exercise for recovery of swallowing function in stroke survivors with dysphagia.