A scoping review of mentorship in allied health: Attributes, programs and outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Mentorship is a mutually beneficial voluntary relationship between mentor and mentee. In principle, the mentee trusts in the mentor for guiding career development and acquiring new knowledge and skills while the mentor finds giving back to the profession rewarding. Mentorship is beneficial at every career stage, but little is known about current programs and processes. OBJECTIVE: To review the literature about mentorship in allied health to inform programs and practices in occupational therapy. Scoping focused on barriers, facilitators and reported outcomes of programs and attributes of mentors and mentees. DATA SOURCES: A search was applied to six databases on 8 February 2022 in Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, Scopus, PUBMED and CINAHL Complete. Search terms were developed in consultation with an academic librarian and using the population, concept and context mnemonic. METHODS: We used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) and the JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis. Data extraction forms were piloted with two reviewers and dual extraction occurred with a portion of papers. Where conflicts arose, discussion occurred until a consensus was reached. FINDINGS: Sixty-two papers were included from eleven countries. The papers arose from ten allied health disciplines, with five in occupational therapy. One-on-one mentoring was most common followed by groups and the use of online platforms. Structured approaches were often used, with the support of professional associations. Trust and willingness to share expertise were required attributes of mentors. Mentees appreciate self-selecting their mentor and having protected time for mentorship. CONCLUSION AND SIGNIFICANCE: This synthesis provides a description of the available literature on mentorship in allied health. Benefits of mentorship were recorded with the acquisition of skills and knowledge being the most prominent. This synthesis provides ideas for future development and refinement of mentorship in occupational therapy.

Understanding Parents' Experiences With Mainstream Schooling for Their Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Meta-Analysis.

IMPORTANCE: Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) face school-related occupational challenges. Attending a mainstream school offers benefits for children's learning and their development of social skills; however, parents express frustration with ensuring their child's unique needs and preferences are met. OBJECTIVE: To gain insight into parents' experiences with the mainstream preschool and primary educational system for their children with ASD. DATA SOURCES: Eleven electronic databases were systematically searched, and processes were followed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA COLLECTION: Study eligibility was determined through the use of selection criteria and paired independent reviewers. Critical appraisal was conducted using a qualitative research hierarchy and a modified version of the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme tool. Two reviewers synthesized the data into themes, following the Joanna Briggs Institute meta-aggregation process. Twenty-six qualitative studies, representing the voices of 397 parents, are presented in this review (spanning 2013-2021). Articles were set in Westernized and non-Westernized settings and represented culturally and linguistically diverse population groups. FINDINGS: Parents of children with ASD reported a lack of awareness and understanding of their children's unique learning needs in the mainstream school system at all levels. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This review has various occupational therapy practice implications for supporting school-age children with ASD, their parents, and school staff. These include adopting family-centered and ecological approaches, raising awareness, influencing policy, and facilitating collaboration. What This Article Adds: This review provides guidance for occupational therapists working in schools about their practice in working at the individual, targeted, and whole-school levels to address occupational barriers faced by children with ASD.

Collaborative practices between parents and primary caregivers in pediatric occupational therapy: a scoping review protocol.

OBJECTIVE: This scoping review aims to identify and describe the available literature on current collaborative practices between parents and primary caregivers in pediatric occupational therapy. The review will also explore the definition of collaborative practices and the therapeutic approaches employed in the literature. INTRODUCTION: The family-centered approach in occupational therapy has proven effective in supporting families' education about their child's condition, as well as intervention strategies. One of the pillars of this approach is parent-therapist collaboration. Collaborative practices enable shared decision-making and mutual engagement between families and professionals. The literature has shown inconsistencies in the definitions, language, and implementation of collaborative practices and family-centered literature. Such inconsistencies have been hindering the transition from traditional service delivery to a family-centered approach. INCLUSION CRITERIA: This review will include studies investigating collaborative practices in pediatric occupational therapy. Accepted studies must include a description of the therapeutic practices undertaken and an explanation of how the collaboration between parents and/or primary caregivers and professionals occurred. All pediatric occupational therapy areas will be considered for inclusion, including practices with other disciplines. However, studies including only adolescents or using child-centered interventions exclusively will be excluded. METHODS: The search will employ indexed terms and keywords in seven databases (MEDLINE, PsyclNFO, ERIC, Embase, OTseeker, Scopus, and ProQuest Central). Eligible sources must be written in English, and will not be limited to date range or location. Data will be extracted, charted, and descriptively analyzed by four reviewers based on JBI recommendations. Study findings will be presented and mapped in tables and diagrams to address the study aims.

Facilitating practices to support children's self-regulation in classrooms: a scoping review protocol.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this scoping review is to describe practices for supporting children's self-regulation in the classroom. INTRODUCTION: Self-regulation is an integral component of children's well-being and learning in the classroom. Self-regulation is a broad concept that encompasses behavioral, emotional, cognitive, or sensory regulation processes. Children often struggle to self-regulate in class and teachers have difficulty supporting them, which affects children's participation and academic achievement, as well as teachers' self-efficacy and well-being. INCLUSION CRITERIA: This review will consider studies that include mainstream primary school children regardless of diagnosis or disability, classroom teachers, and allied health professionals who provide services in mainstream public or private school settings. Self-regulation support practices may include pedagogical, classroom- or curriculum-based practices, environmental modifications, class-management strategies, adult-child relationships, and trauma-informed classroom practices. METHODS: The review will be conducted using the JBI three-step search strategy. The databases to be searched include MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Scopus, CINAHL, OTSeeker, and ERIC. Documents from 2010 to the present in English will be included. Data will be extracted and charted by two reviewers using a data extraction tool based on JBI recommendations. Study findings will be presented in tabular or diagrammatic format that aligns with the objective, and a narrative summary will be provided.

A meta-synthesis of how parents of children with autism describe their experience of accessing and using routine healthcare services for their children.

In order to present a greater understanding to parental experiences of supporting their child with autism to access healthcare services, a systematic review of qualitative research was undertaken, addressing the review question: 'How do parents of children with autism describe their experiences of utilising routine healthcare services?'. After a systematic search and selection process, 12 studies were identified and appraised independently by paired reviewers using an adapted version of the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) tool. Data were synthesised by two reviewers in line with the Joanna Briggs Approach for meta-aggregation. The 12 studies included in this review (spanning 2012-2020), represented the voices of 240 parents. The synthesis resulted in the following synthesised finding (based on four categories that emerged from the original studies' themes): parents report challenges in accessing and use of mainstream health services, for their child with autism, due to not having a voice, inadequate communication and lack of understanding from health service providers. This review raises our awareness of parents' experiences of healthcare services and will assist healthcare practitioners to reconsider their own communication style, understanding and approach with children with autism and their families. From these findings, we recommend that healthcare practitioners more readily incorporate parents' contributory expertise into healthcare visits. These recommendations will help facilitate effective, supportive and positive healthcare experiences for all involved.

Intergenerational Virtual Program: Promoting Meaningful Connections Across the Lifespan During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Intergenerational programs have long been identified as a way of promoting health and well-being for participants. Continuing such programs during pandemic restrictions is challenging and requires a novel approach. This community case study describes the use of co-design to create a high-level intergenerational program model, adapt it to specific community needs, and deliver it virtually with the aid of modern communication technology. Interviews conducted after the program had finished indicated that despite the challenges and limitations of the virtual environment, meaningful connections were achieved across three generations. The high-level program model may serve as a basis for other programs wanting to explore this area.

International allied health student placements: A meta-synthesis.

BACKGROUND: Increasingly universities are offering international student placements as part of the global internationalisation movement. This review sought to synthesize the findings of studies to further understand the learning outcomes described by allied health students. AIMS/OBJECTIVES: To contribute to the understanding of the learning outcomes described by allied health students who have undertaken an international placement. METHODS: A qualitative meta-synthesis was conducted. From six databases, twenty-one studies were identified and critically appraised. Data were meta-aggregated, integrated and interpreted to develop new themes, with the experiences of over 259 allied health students synthesized. RESULTS: Themes include: the intertwined personal and professional development experienced by the students; confidence and independence, relationship building, insight into culture, service provision and differences in socio-economic and political contexts. CONCLUSION: Universities offering students international placements provide their students with opportunities to achieve unique learning outcomes with significant personal and professional transformational development that cannot be replicated by local placements.

Consumer involvement in university education programs in the nursing, midwifery, and allied health professions: a systematic scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Incorporating consumers' voices in tertiary education curricula is an ongoing initiative of educators of health professions in order to facilitate students' readiness for consumer-based practice and to meet accreditation standards. Consequently, educators within these professions use a range of different strategies to involve, recruit and retain consumers. To date, no study has attempted to consolidate the different strategies used by nursing, midwifery and allied health educators to involve, recruit and retain consumers. Consolidating these strategies will lead to a sharing of ideas, which would be of benefit to educators looking for ways to involve consumers in their programs. OBJECTIVES: This scoping review aimed to identify how consumers are involved, recruited and retained in nursing, midwifery and allied health curricula, as reported within research from these professions. DESIGN: The scoping review was carried out and reported according to the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews. DATA SOURCES: Eight electronic databases were searched on 8th January 2019 for English, peer-reviewed primary literature without limiting publication date. The databases were: Cochrane Library, Embase, Emcare, ERIC: Educational Resources Information Center database, Joanna Briggs Institute EBP database, Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science. REVIEW METHODS: The screening of studies was based on selection criteria and involved a two-stage process conducted by two independent reviewers. Once the studies were identified, two reviewers were involved in the charting process of each study. A form was developed to extract information regarding types of consumer involvement and strategies to recruit and retain consumers. Key concepts were then identified across the charted data and categorised and synthesised based on common characteristics or keywords. RESULTS: From 2334 studies, a total of 58 articles were included. Four main areas for consumer involvement types and eight strategies for recruitment and retention were identified and mapped across the studies. CONCLUSION: The collated findings allow idea sharing among educators from these professions on the various types of consumer involvement, recruitment and retention strategies. Enriching tertiary education programs with consumer input enhances student learning and assists these professions to meet accreditation standards.

Child Development Outcomes of DIR/Floortime TM-based Programs: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Occupational therapy is often part of the multi-disciplinary approach within the Developmental, Individual-differences, Relationship-based (DIR) FloortimeTM Model. The model addresses the emotional development of children, which is considered to be critical for the other child developmental areas. PURPOSE: This review serves to inform practitioner decision-making about the use of this model, as no systematic reviews exist on child development outcomes. METHODS: The systematic search included Medline, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Scopus, and Cochrane. For critical appraisal, the McMaster Critical Review was utilized. FINDINGS: Nine studies were identified with varying quality levels. Outcomes were mostly reported for increased socio-emotional development. IMPLICATIONS: The evidence base for this model is emerging from a published research perspective. It is recommended that the use of this model be supported by sound clinical reasoning processes, intervention fidelity, use of valid outcome measures, and regular monitoring. Higher quality research is urgently needed to progress the research base for this intervention.

Interprofessional education placements in allied health: A scoping review.

Aim: This scoping review provides a summary of the features, outcomes and lessons learned of Interprofessional Education (IPE) Placements in Allied Health professional-entry programs. The provision of these placements is one strategy to prepare students for Interprofessional Practice.Methods: Eight databases were systematically searched. Eligibility criteria included Allied-Health interprofessional student groups, professional-entry level programs, interprofessional supervision placements and implementation of a novel model. We accepted all types of peer-reviewed, published papers. Data charting and synthesizing occurred, with a data- subset presented in themes related to the features, outcomes and lessons learnt of IPE Placements.Results: The included 27 papers originate from a variety of countries (2002-2017). Whilst the features of the models varied considerably, features were identified that occurred in a high number of the papers. Positive outcomes were consistently reported for student learning. Thorough planning and investment arose as important themes, ensuring a positive placement experience and understanding of the IPE pedagogy from all stakeholders.Conclusions and Significance: This review provides insights into the features and outcomes of IPE placement models in Allied Health programs. The review expands the body of knowledge which previously focused on nursing and medicine and can inform educators about IPE placement implementation.

Measures for social support in raising a child with a disability: A scoping review.

BACKGROUND: The benefits of social support for caregivers raising a child with a disability have been identified in the literature. These benefits include the improvement of the mental and physical well-being of the caregivers, improvement in caregiving styles, and overall improvement of family quality of life. Whilst the benefits of social support are widely reported, the definitions and measures of social support in the literature are varied. METHOD: A scoping review was therefore undertaken to identify and describe the tools used to measure social support of primary caregivers (i.e., parents or grandparents) raising a child (0-18 years) with a congenital disability in international studies. Ten databases were systematically searched. RESULTS: Sixteen studies were included in the review, from which nine social support measures were identified. Attributes of the measures were searched from their referenced papers and described in terms of their reported psychometric properties. CONCLUSIONS: Through the identification of the measures of social support and ensuring its accurate measurement, direction can be provided for intervention by allowing professionals to detect and address social support available. Future recommendations for research are made.

A meta-synthesis of how parents of children with autism describe their experience of advocating for their children during the process of diagnosis.

The diagnostic process for children with autism can be complex for parents to navigate as they advocate for their child in order to obtain answers to their concerns, and receive the subsequent support they need. Gaining an understanding of parents' experiences during this process, will assist service providers in supporting families adequately. This systematic review was undertaken to consolidate in-depth qualitative data from parents of their experience of advocating for their child with autism, during the process of diagnosis. A qualitative meta-synthesis was conducted, whereby fifteen databases were systematically searched. Twenty-two studies were identified and appraised using an adapted version of the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme tool. Data were synthesised into themes through the steps of review, meta-aggregation, integration, and interpretation. The date range of the included studies spans 1999-2016. The voices of 1,178 parents are presented in this review describing their experiences in two overarching themes: "Pathway to diagnosis-Confusion and not feeling heard"; and "Pursuing diagnosis-Resilience and commitment." Each one of these main themes had sub-themes. Our findings highlight the intense emotional journey for parents during identification of their initial concerns and the formal process of diagnosis, and their perceptions of not being supported by others on this journey. This review illustrates the significant impact that positive experiences with first-line professionals have during the process of diagnosis, and how these experiences lay the foundation for all future relationships with other service providers. As a result, awareness of parents' experiences will assist service providers to reconsider their communication style, information sharing, provision of support and to incorporate parents' contributions in facilitating a more streamlined and more supportive process of diagnosis.

A Web-Based, Social Networking Beginners' Running Intervention for Adults Aged 18 to 50 Years Delivered via a Facebook Group: Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Online social networks continue to grow in popularity, with 1.7 billion users worldwide accessing Facebook each month. The use of social networking sites such as Facebook for the delivery of health behavior programs is relatively new. OBJECTIVE: The primary aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a Web-based beginners' running program for adults aged 18 to 50 years, delivered via a Facebook group, in increasing physical activity (PA) and cardiorespiratory fitness. METHODS: A total of 89 adults with a mean age of 35.2 years (SD 10.9) were recruited online and via print media. Participants were randomly allocated to receive the UniSA Run Free program, an 8-week Web-based beginners' running intervention, delivered via a closed Facebook group (n=41) that included daily interactive posts (information with links, motivational quotes, opinion polls, or questions) and details of the running sessions; or to the control group who received a hard copy of the running program (n=48). Assessments were completed online at baseline, 2 months, and 5 months. The primary outcome measures were self-reported weekly moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and objectively measured cardiorespiratory fitness. Secondary outcomes were social support, exercise attitudes, and self-efficacy. Analyses were undertaken using random effects mixed modeling. Compliance with the running program and engagement with the Facebook group were analyzed descriptively. RESULTS: Both groups significantly increased MVPA across the study period (P=.004); however, this was significantly higher in the Facebook group (P=.04). The Facebook group increased their MVPA from baseline by 140 min/week versus 91 min for the control at 2 months. MVPA remained elevated for the Facebook group (from baseline) by 129 min/week versus a 50 min/week decrease for the control at 5 months. Both groups had significant increases in social support scores at 2 months (P=.02); however, there were no group by time differences (P=.16). There were no significant changes in the other outcomes. A process evaluation revealed relatively high levels of engagement with the Facebook group during the 8-week intervention (eg, mean number of interactions 35 [SD 41]). CONCLUSIONS: An 8-week beginners' running program delivered through Facebook produced sizable and sustained changes in weekly MVPA and received strong engagement and positive feedback from participants. Future research investigating this intervention approach is warranted in other populations and health behaviors. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12616001500448; https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=371607&isReview=true (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6xSAuz4NW).

Factors Perceived by Rehabilitation Professionals to Influence the Provision of Assistive Technology to Children: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: The use of Assistive Technology (AT) by children with disabilities has been associated with significant development and improvement in outcomes within all spheres of life. However, AT is often underutilized. Appropriate selection of AT by rehabilitation professionals could improve the satisfaction of the user and their family with their AT. DATA SOURCES: A systematic search identified six studies that investigate the factors that occupational therapists, physiotherapists, as well as speech and language pathologists perceive to influence their provision of AT to children. Study appraisal: Two qualitative and four quantitative articles were identified. Both article types were appraised using the Mixed Methods Appraisal tool (Pluye et al., 2011 ). Synthesis method: A process of deductive thematic analysis by using themes from the Assistive Technology Device Selection Framework (Scherer et al., 2007 ), was followed by inductive thematic analysis to uncover subthemes. Data from all six articles are synthesized to provide a view of factors that are perceived to influence AT selection. Implications of findings: Within a family-centered perspective, both family and child expectations and preferences should be considered. Professionals should consider the influence of their own preferences and knowledge on the AT they recommend.

Does gamification increase engagement with online programs? A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Engagement in online programs is difficult to maintain. Gamification is the recent trend that offers to increase engagement through the inclusion of game-like features like points and badges, in non-game contexts. This review will answer the following question, 'Are gamification strategies effective in increasing engagement in online programs?' METHOD: Eight databases (Web of Science, PsycINFO, Medline, INSPEC, ERIC, Cochrane Library, Business Source Complete and ACM Digital Library) were searched from 2010 to the 28th of October 2015 using a comprehensive search strategy. Eligibility criteria was based on the PICOS format, where "population" included adults, "intervention" involved an online program or smart phone application that included at least one gamification feature. "Comparator" was a control group, "outcomes" included engagement and "downstream" outcomes which occurred as a result of engagement; and "study design" included experimental studies from peer-reviewed sources. Effect sizes (Cohens d and 95% confidence intervals) were also calculated. RESULTS: 1017 studies were identified from database searches following the removal of duplicates, of which 15 met the inclusion criteria. The studies involved a total of 10,499 participants, and were commonly undertaken in tertiary education contexts. Engagement metrics included time spent (n = 5), volume of contributions (n = 11) and occasions visited to the software (n = 4); as well as downstream behaviours such as performance (n = 4) and healthy behaviours (n = 1). Effect sizes typically ranged from medium to large in direct engagement and downstream behaviours, with 12 out of 15 studies finding positive significant effects in favour of gamification. CONCLUSION: Gamification is effective in increasing engagement in online programs. Key recommendations for future research into gamification are provided. In particular, rigorous study designs are required to fully examine gamification's effects and determine how to best achieve sustained engagement.

The acquisition of parenting occupations in neonatal intensive care: A preliminary perspective.

BACKGROUND: The birth of a preterm infant represents a major crisis for parents that may impact their performance of parenting occupations. PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to explore the experiences that enable parents to participate in occupations associated with the role of parenting in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). METHOD: A paradigmatic analysis of narratives was completed based on interviews conducted with six parents of preterm infants. FINDINGS: Six themes were identified: anticipating occupations versus reality, needing emotional resilience, working to reclaim the parental role, navigating the NICU occupation-environment transactions, building and maintaining relationships with staff, and revisioning the future. IMPLICATIONS: The use of an occupation-based approach moves parents' involvement in the NICU beyond basic caregiving occupations. It highlights the importance of providing opportunities for nurturing and caring for their infants in ways that are meaningful to their identity as a parent.

Measuring activity and participation in children and adolescents with disabilities: a literature review of available instruments.

BACKGROUND/AIM: This article aims to (1) identify instruments available to measure activity and participation in children with disabilities; (2) describe the reliability and validity of these instruments; and (3) consider whether the available instruments capture the extent of involvement, as well as the difficulty and satisfaction/enjoyment associated with performance in all life areas. METHOD: A literature review was completed by undertaking an electronic search to identify instruments that measure activity and participation in children with disabilities. A further electronic search was conducted to obtain an adequate description of the instruments, including psychometric properties. RESULTS: The search identified 20 instruments purporting to measure activity and participation, however, no single instrument measured extent of involvement, difficulty and satisfaction/enjoyment in all life areas. There were instances in which each of these aspects was captured, but not within the one instrument. Instruments assessed combinations of frequency, difficulty, assistance, environment and satisfaction across varying contexts, for example, school, domestic life, recreational tasks, leisure tasks or all life areas. CONCLUSIONS: Although a large number of instruments exist to measure varying aspects of activity and participation, there is currently no single instrument available to measure the extent of involvement, difficulty and satisfaction/enjoyment in all life areas. This finding indicates that there is the opportunity to develop a single instrument to measure activity and participation across all life areas.

A qualitative exploration of the "critical window": factors affecting Australian children's after-school physical activity.

BACKGROUND: The after-school period is potentially a "critical window" for promoting physical activity in children. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively explore children's perceptions of the factors influencing their engagement in physical activity during the after-school period as the first phase in the development of a questionnaire. METHODS: Fifty-four South Australian children age 10-13 years participated in same gender focus groups. Transcripts, field notes, and activity documents were analyzed using content analysis. Through an inductive thematic approach, data were coded and categorized into perceived barriers and facilitators according to a social ecological model. RESULTS: Children identified a number of factors, including safety in the neighborhood and home settings, distance to and from places, weather, availability of time, perceived competence, enjoyment of physical activity, peer influence, and parent influence. New insights into bullying and teasing by peers and fear of dangerous animals and objects were revealed by the children. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, hearing children's voices allowed the emergence of factors which may not be exposed using existing surveys. These findings are grounded in children's perceptions and therefore serve as a valuable contribution to the existing literature, potentially leading to improved intervention and questionnaire design.