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.