A Holistic and Proactive Approach for Preparing Occupational Therapy Practitioners to Combat Compassion Fatigue

Purpose Occupational therapy is a unique profession working with individuals across the lifespan to overcome adversity and increase overall quality of life. Of the many settings where occupational therapists can work, 93% work in direct-patient care (AOTA, Work Setting Trends for Occupational Therapy: How to Choose a Setting ). These settings are high demand in nature and require large quantities of time, energy, empathy, and compassion. Continuous use of empathy and compassion daily creates a risk for developing compassion fatigue among healthcare providers. Unfortunately, there currently appears to be a disjunction in occupational therapy literature related to compassion fatigue in occupational therapy practice. The purpose of this scholarly project is to raise awareness of compassion fatigue in the field of occupational therapy and provide education of the components of compassion fatigue and strategies to mitigate its effects on the quality of patient care, working life, and personal life (Edwards & Dirette, 2010). Methods An extensive literature review was conducted in order to understand the prevalence of compassion fatigue within occupational therapy. The information obtained from the literature review was analyzed and placed into emerging themes: (a) compassion fatigue versus burnout, (b) risk factors, (c) strategies, (d) tools for measuring compassion fatigue, and (e) models and theories for compassion fatigue and occupational therapy practitioners. Person-Environment-Occupation-Performance model was used to organize information and guide the creation of the product. Results Analysis of information indicated several risk factors and strategies to help identify and mitigate compassion fatigue. The main risk factors that impacted the development of compassion fatigue were aspects of the work environment, occupational therapists’ ability to utilize personal and professional skills, experiences, and abilities for fostering resilience to help mitigate these issues. To help combat risk factors, the authors identified evidence-based strategies, including self-care, support systems, mindfulness practices, professional identity affirmation, and education. The authors created an OT Practice article to educate occupational therapy practitioners on what compassion fatigue is and provide strategies to combat its effects. Conclusion The purpose of this product is to raise awareness of the term ‘compassion fatigue’ and its impact on personal and professional life. There is currently a disconnect in occupational therapy literature related to compassion fatigue in occupational therapy practice, leading to the creation of the OT Practice article. The authors hope that by utilizing a proactive and holistic approach, practitioners can begin to identify and detect early warning signs and use evidence-based strategies to combat early signs of compassion fatigue and enhance occupational performance, participation, satisfaction, and fulfillment within their personal and professional lives

Family Nurse Practitioners\u27 Perceptions Of Bereavement Care

Studies have shown that long-term effects of bereavement increase health problems among many individuals. There is an increased need for bereavement care among family nurse practitioners to lessen physical and mental anguish among those who have experienced a loss. The purpose of this study was to describe and explore family nurse practitioners\u27 perceptions of bereavement care. This study\u27s importance was to find out what is being done to address patients\u27 bereavement issues by the family nurse practitioner. Orlando\u27s Nursing Process Theory was the theoretical framework that guided this study. The research question for this study was as follows : What are family nurse practitioners\u27 perceptions of bereavement care? The sample {N = 143) consisted of family nurse practitioners practicing in a rural state in the southeastern United States. Perceptions of family nurse practitioners were assessed using a modified survey developed by Lemkau et al. (2000) entitled Family Physicians and Grieving Patients. Data were analyzed using measures of central tendency including means, percentages, and frequencies to summarize and describe the findings. Respondents in 1 1 1 general viewed that identifying and treating bereaved patients was a necessary role of the family nurse practitioner. All respondents had strong beliefs that grief contributed to health problems. Family nurse practitioners expressed a need for further education and training on the topic of bereavement. Based on the findings from the study, several nursing practice recommendations were made. The nurse practitioner should recognize the importance of bereavement care. Thus, a plan of care could be implemented for the bereaved patient. Through interventions and an appropriate plan of care for the bereaved patient, the nurse practitioner could decrease negative effects that bereavement can have on individuals. Recommendations for future research include replication of this study with a larger sample and investigation of grieving patients\u27 perceptions of what is expected from their health care provider after a loss

Water Quality Project Evaluation A Handbook for Objectives-Based Evaluation of Water Quality Projects

PDF pages: 5

The Implementation of a Regional Education Network Through the Application of the Developmental Evaluation Process: A Case Study

One in three young adults with autism or developmental disability have never been employed within eight years of their leaving high school (Newman et al., 2011). These students graduate from schools and may then work with multiple services providers across agencies. Collaboration between these agencies is critical. This case study describes the successful efforts of a group of educational leaders, parents, individuals with disabilities, and service providers who came together to improve the transition outcomes of young adults with disabilities. The success of this large and complex effort was facilitated by the application of a developmental evaluation process which adjusted the networks efforts in real time. We present a case study of the first two years of the development and implementation of this regional educational network, as well as the theory and methods of developmental evaluation used to guide its implementation. We conclude with implications for building and leading effective collaborative networks in education

The Implementation of a Regional Education Network Through the Application of the Developmental Evaluation Process: A Case Study

Abstract: One in three young adults with autism or developmental disability have never been employed within eight years of their leaving high school (Newman et al., 2011). These students graduate from schools and may then work with multiple services providers across agencies. Collaboration between these agencies is critical. This case study describes the successful efforts of a group of educational leaders, parents, individuals with disabilities, and service providers who came together to improve the transition outcomes of young adults with disabilities. The success of this large and complex effort was facilitated by the application of a developmental evaluation process which adjusted the networks efforts in real time. We present a case study of the first two years of the development and implementation of this regional educational network, as well as the theory and methods of developmental evaluation used to guide its implementation. We conclude with implications for building and leading effective collaborative networks in education

Information Outlook, October 2003

Volume 7, Issue 10https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/sla_io_2003/1009/thumbnail.jp

New Economics Books

A wide ranged Editor Selection of economic books published within the last 3 months by the publishers (for now; Edward Elgar, Springer, and World Scientific) which are reached out “the consensus of no copyright infringement exists” could be found under this title. Afterwards, JEL will continue to publish the economic books published within the last 3 months as listing them in its quarter edition. This is expected to enable the journal readers to follow the related literature and be aware of the new books. The list will continue to expand as accepting the books of new co-operated publishers and personal applications. The list order is organized according to book titles’ alphabetic priority

Family education and support for families at psychosocial risk in Europe: Evidence from a survey of international experts

First published online: 11 October 2018There is overwhelming consensus among policy makers, academics, and professionals about the need to support families in their childrearing tasks. Consequently, European countries have been encouraged to develop family support interventions aimed at guaranteeing children's rights, targeting particularly those children in situations of psychosocial risk. While a certain amount of evidence exists regarding how family support is generally delivered in certain European countries, with a particular focus on parenting initiatives, this paper aims to take existing evidence one step further by providing an updated review focusing on two core components of the Council of Europe's Recommendation on Positive Parenting: families at psychosocial risk as the target population, and family education and support initiatives as the delivery format. The scope of the study was therefore broad, in both geographical and conceptual terms. An online survey was conducted with experts from 19 European countries to gather information regarding how they perceive family education and support initiatives for families at psychosocial risk. Both quantitative and qualitative data were analysed by computing frequencies/percentages and by following a thematic synthesis method, respectively. The results revealed both similarities and disparities as regards provider profiles, intervention characteristics, and quality standards. Practical implications are discussed, such as the need to diversify initiatives for at‐risk families in accordance with the tenets of progressive universalism, the ongoing need for an evidence‐based, pluralistic approach to programmes, and the skills and qualifications required in the family support workforce. This study constitutes a first step towards building a common family support framework at a European level, which would encompass family support and parenting policies aimed at families at psychosocial risk.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad de España EDU2013‐41441‐

Representing David: When Best Practices Aren\u27t and Natural Supports Really Are

As California marks the 30-year anniversary of the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act, there is more legal support and social acceptance than ever for including individuals with developmental disabilities in our daily lives — i.e., in community-based settings. Yet, the day-to-day decisions are not necessarily easier. Informed parents and professional advocates are meant to digest the latest literature, absorb the best practices, fight the fights, rise above the loneliness, and travel the correct path in search for services and support. In this article, I highlight the peculiar difficulties posed for professionals who advocate on behalf of children with disabilities, using the landmark Lanterman Act — with its emphasis on choice and inclusiveness — as a backdrop. Mindful of the best practices to which we all aspire, our advocacy is bracketed by the realities of time, money, bureaucratic behaviors, and human or other subjective factors. From early intervention to respite care, from residential placement to transition-planning and natural supports, I have traveled that path, strayed from it, and learned a few things along the way — with my son David. Legal knowledge, enhanced consciousness, and ideology all help to shape the model disability rights advocate, along with a dose of the real and the pragmatic. Lanterman Act, Developmental Disabilities Services Act, Developmental Disability, Intellectual Disability, Natural Support, Supports and Services, Self-Determination, Autonomy, Choice, Inclusion, Independent Living, Interdependency, Community-Based, Regional Center, Protection & Advocacy Syste