Goal attainment, adjustment and disengagement in the first year after stroke: A qualitative study.

Understanding stroke survivor responses to attainable and unattainable goals is important so that rehabilitation staff can optimally support ongoing recovery and adaption. In this qualitative study, we aimed to investigate (i) stroke survivor's experiences of goal attainment, adjustment and disengagement in the first year after stroke and (ii) whether the Goal setting and Action Planning (G-AP) framework supported different pathways to goal attainment. In-depth interviews were conducted with eighteen stroke survivors' to explore their experiences and views. Interview data were transcribed verbatim and analysed using a Framework approach to examine themes within and between participants. Stroke survivors reported that attaining personal goals enabled them to resume important activities, reclaim a sense of self and enhance emotional wellbeing. Experiences of goal-related setbacks and failure facilitated understanding and acceptance of limitations and informed adjustment of, or disengagement from, unattainable goals. Use of the G-AP framework supported stroke survivors to (i) identify personal goals, (ii) initiate and sustain goal pursuit, (iii) gauge progress and (iv) make informed decisions about continued goal pursuit, adjustment or disengagement. Stroke survivor recovery involves attainment of original and adjusted or alternative goals. The G-AP framework can support these different pathways to goal attainment.

Beliefs about responsibilities, the aims of therapy and the structure of the therapy process: a qualitative study of caseload management issues in child health occupational therapy.

BACKGROUND: Individual therapists' behaviour contributes to overall caseload management in therapy services. Therapists' caseload management (i.e. actions in relation to assessment, treatment and discharging) is likely to relate to their beliefs about caseload management; it may be possible to change therapists' caseload management by changing their beliefs. This study explored children's occupational therapists' beliefs about caseload management with a view to designing a caseload management intervention. METHODS: Twenty-five therapists from six NHS Scotland Health Boards were interviewed using a semi-structured format. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, and the interview transcripts were analysed for emerging themes. A proportion of transcripts were independently read and coded, and the themes were validated through critical discussion. RESULTS: Key issues emerged concerning therapists' beliefs about their responsibilities, the aims of therapy and the structure of the therapy process. Therapists expressed a strong sense of professional duty/responsibility, but the interpretations of what this duty/responsibility was differed between therapists. For example, therapists expressed highly contrasting beliefs about the goals and purpose of therapy and the ways in which therapy processes should be structured. Some therapists promoted an approach structured around clients' goals, while others focused more on relationship building. CONCLUSIONS: Therapists' beliefs about caseload management differ considerably; these differences could translate to variation in therapists' intentions and behaviours. Implications for practice, policy and future research were identified, as were implications for the way clinicians' caseload management is theorized.

Improving post-hypoglycaemic patient safety in the prehospital environment: a systematic review.

To determine the extent to which post-hypoglycaemic patients with diabetes, who are prescribed oral hypoglycaemic agents (OHA) are at risk of repeat hypoglycaemic events (RHE) after being treated in the prehospital environment and whether they should be transported to hospital regardless of their post-treatment response, a systematic literature review was carried out using an overlapping retrieval strategy that included both published and unpublished literature. Retrieved papers were reviewed by each author for inclusion. Disagreements regarding inclusion were resolved through discussion. Ninety-eight papers and other relevant material were retrieved using the developed search strategy. Twenty-three papers and other relevant material were included in the final review. A narrative synthesis of the findings is presented. Although several case reports demonstrate the risks associated with repeat or prolonged hypoglycaemia, the review was unable to locate any specific high quality research in this area. Consequently, caution is required in interpreting the findings of the studies. Post-hypoglycaemic patients treated in the prehospital environment have a 2-7% risk of experiencing a RHE within 48 h. The literature retrieved in this study recognises the potential for OHA to cause RHE. However, the extent to which this occurs in practice remains unknown. This lack of evidence has led to the recommendation that conservative management, through admission to hospital, is appropriate. The review concludes with recommendations for both practice and research.