This weeks #OTalk is on the topic of group work within occupational therapy and will be hosted by Elinor Jordan (@Elinor_OT).
Groups at the forefront of occupational therapy practice; myth or reality?
Literature suggests working within groups can provide emotional support, social skills, motivation, self-confidence and a sense of camaraderie (Yeates et al., 2015; Moyer, 2014).
Experience shows that providing an array of groups tailored around leisure based activities but with a focus upon physical, cognitive and psychosocial domains some barriers to engagement can be overcome alongside providing optimal opportunities for practice of newly learned skills. Experience has shown that a strong individual therapy programme must be complimented with an enriching group programme to promote and facilitate our rehabilitative ethos with the neuro rehabilitation setting that I work within, however does this also transpire into other occupational therapy settings?
Within the slow stream neuro rehabilitation setting that I work within since re visiting and developing the service we offer, our input now involves a strong group programme across the whole Unit providing clear and enhanced opportunities for achievement of personal therapeutic goals alongside social interaction and emotional wellbeing through a range of transdisciplinary groups.
This chat aims to explore varying viewpoints and experiences on integrating groups into a range of settings. Questions and discussion points include:
- Are there specific “traditional” groups that people focused upon or do individuals break down “traditional”?
- What have been the barriers to developing groups into practice?
- How beneficial have collaborative groups been and can we tap further into this avenue?
- Can groups provide opportunities to enhance patient contact time?
- How can groups be evaluated to demonstrate positive impact upon interventions?
References
Moyer, E. A., O’Brien, J. C., & Solomon, J. W. (2014). O ccupational therapy (OT) practitioners often work with adults in groups for a wide variety of purposes. Occupational Analysis and Group Process, 106.
Tomchek, S., Koenig, K. P., Arbesman, M., & Lieberman, D. (2017). Occupational Therapy Interventions for Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 71(1), 7101395010p1-7101395010p3.
Whisner, S. M., Stelter, L. D., & Schultz, S. (2014). Influence of Three Interventions on Group Participation in an Acute Psychiatric Facility. Occupational Therapy in Mental Health, 30(1), 26-42.
Yeates, G., Murphy, M., Baldwin, J., Wilkes, J., & Mahadevan, M. (2015). A pilot study of a yoga group for survivors of acquired brain injury in a community setting. Clinical Psychology, 267, 46.
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