blogs

0. Abstract:
Reiki is a healing energy technique of uncertain origin. It may not be applicable to occupational therapy, but the process of learning reiki may be of use to occupational therapists for facilitating spiritual emergence and personal development. This blog entry describes my personal journey as a physiotherapist learning reiki, and how the experience led me to re-train as an occupational therapist. The benefits I experienced included increased empathy and interpersonal skills, more ethical living, a deeper respect for occupational therapy, improved physical and mental health, a feeling of connection to the universe and restored faith in God.

I am incredibly excited at the prospect of research in to the use of the Wii to assist stroke survivors in re-learning movement. What a great example of our need as therapists to move with the times and exploit modern technology to engage clients in meaningful, therapeutic activities. I can just visualise Mrs Jones extending her shoulder back, flexing her hip and knee and going in for that killer ‘virtual’ strike!!!!!

Hi,

I'm an OT based in Accident and Emergency. I've recently become aware of the 'dressing loop, Rapid Functional Assessment tool', available from Nottingham Rehab Supplies. I'm interested to explore it's use as a screening tool and/or part of the assessment toolbox in A+E.

I've had a look at the dressing loop and think it's got potential for this field but it has been developed primarily with neuro patients in mind. Due to the four hour targets for patient care governing A&E we have very little time to complete functional assessments - and often cannot carry out PADL assessment due to a lack of suitable clothing.

Does anyone else use a dressing loop in a rapid (predominantly physical) setting? If so then how do you find it? Have you adapted the recommended assessment form that’s supplied along with the loop?

All feedback gratefully received!

Thanks Kate

1. Introduction: Have you ever seen a Ferrari Panda or Fiat Testarossa? What about a Lexus Yaris or Toyota Soarer? What about a Nicole Farhi FCUK T-shirt? If you do, please send me a photograph because I never have. This phenomenon has also occurred with Ralph Lauren and Chaps. Companies are using different names to market products in distinct quality brackets. There is a very good reason for this. What do you think a Fiat Panda would do for the image of Ferrari if it was branded ‘Ferrari’? Ferrari would lose out to other super-car producers that were more sensible with maintenance of their brand images. The occupational therapy profession could learn this valuable lesson from industry. This blog entry is a very brief reflection on that thought.

Patients have the universal desire to have information regarding sexual function but at the same time reluctant of asking healthcare professionals about it (Stern et al 1991).

The aim of the piece of work is to define sexuality first. It will then appraise the different models of sexuality. The Ex PLISSIT model will be used in a case study of Lynda. And finally the discussion will focus on the advantages and the limitations of using the model.

Health Promotion Rehabilitation: an endeavour towards better health.

“Preventive measures are less expensive than the restorative measures” (Clark 1992, Friedland et al 2001, Hajnal 1997, Sheiham 1992).

Introduction
The article will define health promotion first and than will look into upstream thinking. The importance of health education in health promotion, along with different types of health promotions will be discussed. Health promotion on a wider perspective will be explored and will be related to rehabilitation. Finally the article will discuss change of health behaviour using health promotion model. The aim is to gain understanding of health promotion for the rehabilitation professional in order to incorporate them into rehabilitation practice.
An analogy of upstream thinking.
McKinlay(1979) analogy of a man standing by a fast flowing river who spent his time jumping in and pulling out people who were drowning. The task of jumping in, pulling them to the shore and applying artificial respiration was so demanding of his resources that he had no time to go upstream to prevent them falling (or being pushed in the river). The story introduced the notion of refocusing upstream and of upstream planning and action.