Choosing the Path of Leadership in Occupational Therapy

Leadership is vital to the success and sustainability of any group, organization, or profession. Using a qualitative phenomenological methodology, consistent with interpretative phenomenological analysis, this study examines why occupational therapists choose the path of leadership. Data was collected through the completion of semistructured interviews with 10 occupational therapy leaders in Ontario, Canada. This collected data was transcribed verbatim and coded for themes by multiple coders. Several methods were employed to establish trustworthiness. Results identify that a desire to influence the profession or care delivery, a need for personal or career development, and a need for change motivate those occupational therapists who might choose the path of leadership. Recommendations for supporting new or developing leaders include a focus on linking occupational therapy practice and leadership theory at the curriculum and professional levels. Moreover, application of novel approaches to mentorship for new and developing leaders, such as supportive communities of practice, are also considered

Spirituality and Occupation in Living (SOiL) Model: Conceptualizing Occupational Performance Through the lens of Spirituality

Spirituality is a multi-faceted concept that includes varied personal, societal, and cultural informers. Despite a relatively high volume of analysis there is significant and ongoing debate about the concept of spirituality in occupational therapy. In particular, this discourse includes questions of relevance, how spirituality might be defined, and what its clinical application might entail. To date, several models have connected spirituality with occupation but none have supported clinicians in framing occupational performance and occupational performance change in day-to-day clinical practice via a spirituality lens. This paper describes the Spirituality and Occupation in Living (SOiL) model. This model is designed for day-to-day clinical application in the consideration and analysis of occupational performance. It supports clinicians in partnering with clients, families, and caregivers in framing, analyzing, and respectfully discussing occupational performance through a spirituality lens. It is a model that can be responsive to multi-factorial informers across the care paradigm, is culturally accountable, and supports the integration of co-occupation

Ecospirituality in Forensic Mental Health: A Preliminary Outcome Study

Background: In this study, the personal experience of spirituality in nature (the concept of ecospirituality) was supported by occupational therapy and spiritual care staff enabling a community-based group for persons affiliated with a forensic mental health system in Ontario, Canada. Spirituality is a key, though debated, tenet in occupational therapy practice. At the same time, immersive participation in nature has been linked to positive health outcomes. Methods: A qualitative method consistent with Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was employed. Data was collected via the completion of semi-structured interviews (n = 9). Collected data was transcribed verbatim and then coded for themes by multiple coders. Several methods were employed to support trustworthiness. Results: Results identified that participation in the ecospirituality group enabled the participants to feel an enhanced connection with nature and an opportunity for unguarded reflection and relaxation. The participants described a regenerative and restorative experience, including a sense of peace and connection with the personally sacred. Enhanced resiliency and meaningful connection with others also were identified. Conclusion: Recommendations related to outcomes are identified. These include a focus on enhanced access to natural environments for individuals involved in mental health systems. Just as importantly, the opportunity for personal agency and autonomy in those settings appears indicated

Informal Leadership in the Clinical Setting: Occupational Therapist Perspectives

Background: Leadership is vital to clinical, organizational, and professional success. This has compelled a high volume of research primarily related to formal leadership concepts. However, as organizations flatten, eliminate departmental structures, or decentralize leadership structures the relevance of informal leaders has markedly enhanced. Methods: Using a qualitative phenomenological methodology consistent with interpretative phenomenological analysis, this study examines the impact of informal leadership in the clinical setting for occupational therapists. Data was collected through the completion of semi-structured interviews with 10 peer-identified informal occupational therapy leaders in Ontario, Canada. Collected data was transcribed verbatim and coded for themes by multiple coders. Several methods were employed to support trustworthiness. Results: The results identify that informal leaders are collaborative, accessible, and ­considered the “go to” staff. They demonstrate professional competence knowledge, experience, and accountability and are inspirational and creative. Practically, informal leaders organically shape the practice environment while building strength and capacity among their peers. Conclusion: Recommendations for supporting informal leaders include acknowledgement of the role and its centrality, enabling informal leaders time to undertake the role, and supporting consideration of informal leadership concepts at the curriculum and professional level

New genetic loci link adipose and insulin biology to body fat distribution.

Body fat distribution is a heritable trait and a well-established predictor of adverse metabolic outcomes, independent of overall adiposity. To increase our understanding of the genetic basis of body fat distribution and its molecular links to cardiometabolic traits, here we conduct genome-wide association meta-analyses of traits related to waist and hip circumferences in up to 224,459 individuals. We identify 49 loci (33 new) associated with waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for body mass index (BMI), and an additional 19 loci newly associated with related waist and hip circumference measures (P < 5 × 10(-8)). In total, 20 of the 49 waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for BMI loci show significant sexual dimorphism, 19 of which display a stronger effect in women. The identified loci were enriched for genes expressed in adipose tissue and for putative regulatory elements in adipocytes. Pathway analyses implicated adipogenesis, angiogenesis, transcriptional regulation and insulin resistance as processes affecting fat distribution, providing insight into potential pathophysiological mechanisms

From Romantic Gothic to Victorian Medievalism: 1817 and 1877

&quot;The Cambridge History of the Gothic was conceived in 2015, when Linda Bree, then Editorial Director at Cambridge University Press, first suggested the idea to us

Choosing the Path of Leadership in Occupational Therapy

Leadership is vital to the success and sustainability of any group, organization, or profession. Using a qualitative phenomenological methodology, consistent with interpretative phenomenological analysis, this study examines why occupational therapists choose the path of leadership. Data was collected through the completion of semistructured interviews with 10 occupational therapy leaders in Ontario, Canada. This collected data was transcribed verbatim and coded for themes by multiple coders. Several methods were employed to establish trustworthiness. Results identify that a desire to influence the profession or care delivery, a need for personal or career development, and a need for change motivate those occupational therapists who might choose the path of leadership. Recommendations for supporting new or developing leaders include a focus on linking occupational therapy practice and leadership theory at the curriculum and professional levels. Moreover, application of novel approaches to mentorship for new and developing leaders, such as supportive communities of practice, are also considered