Itinérance, santé mentale et ergothérapie. Une expérience qui confirme d’étonnantes possibilités

Les personnes itinérantes qui souffrent de maladie mentale constituent une partie importante de la population itinérante. Elles connaissent une multitude de problèmes au niveau du rendement occupationnel et des lacunes dans les systèmes, et les politiques aggravent leur situation. Il existe de plus en plus de preuves que l'ergothérapie peut contribuer à améliorer la santé et la qualité de vie de cette population marginalisée et mal desservie. Cet article décrit le processus et les défis que pose la dispensation des services d'ergothérapie aux personnes itinérantes ayant des problèmes de santé mentale, d'abus de substances et de maladies mentales graves, en ayant recours au modèle Mesure canadienne du rendement occupationnel (MCRO). Il existe une certaine concordance entre les valeurs et les croyances de la profession d'ergothérapeute et les besoins et les questions du rendement occupationnel des personnes itinérantes. En aidant ces personnes à développer des occupations significatives, leur permettant de reprendre leur vie en main, on les rend capables de faire des changements positifs et permanents dans leur vie. Au sein de cette dynamique, il existe un grand potentiel d'apprentissage et de capacité de grandir, qu'on soit dispensateur ou bénéficiaire de services.Homelessness, mental health and occupational therapy Persons who are homeless with a mental illness constitute a significant portion of the homeless population. They have a myriad of occupational performance problems and are further compromised by systemic and political issues. There is growing evidence that occupational therapy can make a contribution to the health and quality of life of this marginalized, under served population. This paper describes the process and challenges providing occupational therapy services to persons who are homeless with mental health problems, addictions, and serious mental illnesses using the Canadian Model of Occupational Performance. There is a goodness of fit between the values and beliefs of the occupational therapy profession and the needs and occupational performance issues of persons who are homeless. Through helping people to develop meaningful occupations and gain control of their lives, people may be able to make permanent and positive changes in their lives. Within this dynamic is a great deal of potential learning and growth for human beings regardless if they are providers or recipients of service.Itinerancia, salud mental y ergoterapia Una experiencia que confirma posibilidades asombrosas Las personas itinerantes que sufren de enfermedad mental constituyen una parte importante de esta población. Estas conocen una multitud de problemas a nivel del rendimiento ocupacional, y las lagunas en los sistemas y las políticas agravan su situación. Cada vez más, exiten pruebas de que la ergoterapia puede contribuir a mejorar la salud y la calidad de vida de esta población marginada y mal atendida. Este artículo describe el proceso y los desafíos que impone el dispensar servicios de ergoterapia a las personas itinerantes con problemas de salud mental, de abuso de sustancias y de enfermedades mentales graves, recurriendo al modelo canadiense de rendimiento ocupacional (MCRO). Existe cierta concordancia entre los valores y las creencias de la profesión de ergoterapeuta y las necesidades y cuestiones del rendimiento ocupacional de las personas itinerantes. Ayudando a estas personas a desarrollar ocupaciones significativas que les permitan retomar las riendas de su vida, las volvemos capaces de operar cambios positivos y permanentes en sus vidas. En el seno de esta dinámica existe un gran potencial de aprendizaje y de capacidad de crecer, ya se sea dispensador o beneficiario de servicios

Improving Holographic Search Algorithms using Sorted Pixel Selection

Traditional search algorithms for computer hologram generation such as Direct Search and Simulated Annealing offer some of the best hologram qualities at convergence when compared to rival approaches. Their slow generation times and high processing power requirements mean, however, that they see little use in performance critical applications. This paper presents the novel Sorted Pixel Selection (SPS) modification for Holographic Search Algorithms (HSAs) that offers Mean Square Error (MSE) reductions in the range of 14:7 19:2% for the test images used. SPS operates by substituting a weighted search selection procedure for traditional random pixel selection processes. While small, the improvements seen are observed consistently across a wide range of test cases and require limited overhead for implementatio

Time, fear and transformation: Student nurses' experiences of doing a practicum (quality improvement project) in practice

Background  Improving and sustaining quality in healthcare continues to be a global challenge, resulting in the necessity of developing quality improvement (QI) skills and knowledge to use in practice. This paper reports student nurses' experiences of conducting a quality improvement project (Practicum) as a compulsory assessment whilst on clinical placement areas across Scotland.  Methods  Telephone and face-to-face interviews (n=18) were conducted using a semi-structured interview schedule. Discussions were transcribed verbatim and data were analysed thematically. Data were extracted from Practicum assignments (n=50).  Results  Three key themes emerged from the analysis: 1) Time; students highlighted the necessity of time in practice areas to acclimatise, socialise and conduct the Practicum. Timing of the Practicum within the curriculum was also important. 2) Fear; was experienced by many students at the perceived enormity of the assignment, the bravery needed to attempt to change practice and the adjustment to a unique type of assignment. 3) Transformation; students shared their shifted perceptions on completing a Practicum, including a sense of achievement and acknowledgement of key improvement skills for the future.  Conclusions   Student nurses need to be stretched beyond their comfort zones to rise to the challenge of the Practicum, whilst ensuring adequate support mechanisms are in place from a range of sources

"Horses for Courses" Comment on "Translating Evidence Into Healthcare Policy and Practice: Single Versus Multi-Faceted Implementation Strategies – Is There a Simple Answer to a Complex Question?"

This commentary considers the vexed question of whether or not we should be spending time and resources on using multifaceted interventions to undertake implementation of evidence in healthcare. A review of systematic reviews has suggested that simple interventions may be just as effective as those taking a multifaceted approach. Taking cognisance of the Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services (PARIHS) framework this commentary takes account of the evidence, context and facilitation factors in undertaking implementation. It concludes that a ‘horses for courses’ approach is necessary meaning that the specific implementation approach should be selected to fit the implementation task in hand whether it be a single or multifaceted approach and reviewed on an individual basis

Network of two-Chinese-character compound words in Japanese language

Some statistical properties of a network of two-Chinese-character compound words in Japanese language are reported. In this network, a node represents a Chinese character and an edge represents a two-Chinese-character compound word. It is found that this network has properties of "small-world" and "scale-free." A network formed by only Chinese characters for common use ({\it joyo-kanji} in Japanese), which is regarded as a subclass of the original network, also has small-world property. However, a degree distribution of the network exhibits no clear power law. In order to reproduce disappearance of the power-law property, a model for a selecting process of the Chinese characters for common use is proposed

Effect of Time of Access to Pasture and the Provision of a Total Mixed Ration on the Performance and Methane Production of High Yielding Dairy Cows

Allowing cows to spend time on pasture may improve their welfare, although high yielding cows are unable to consume sufficient amounts of grass to maintain milk yield and require supplementation (Charlton et al. 2011). The inclusion of grass in the diet of high yielding cows may have benefits as grass contains polyunsaturated fatty acids which can reduce methane production (Martin et al. 2008). Additionally, the soluble carbohydrate content in grass is higher in the afternoon which may increase intake (Trevaskis et al. 2004). The aim of the experiment was to determine the effects of timing of pasture access and the provision of access to total mixed ration (TMR) when at grass on the performance and methane production of high yielding dairy cows

“Horses for Courses” Comment on “Translating Evidence Into Healthcare Policy and Practice: Single Versus Multi-Faceted Implementation Strategies – Is There a Simple Answer to a Complex Question?”

This commentary considers the vexed question of whether or not we should be spending time and resources on using multifaceted interventions to undertake implementation of evidence in healthcare. A review of systematic reviews has suggested that simple interventions may be just as effective as those taking a multifaceted approach. Taking cognisance of the Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services (PARIHS) framework this commentary takes account of the evidence, context and facilitation factors in undertaking implementation. It concludes that a ‘horses for courses’ approach is necessary meaning that the specific implementation approach should be selected to fit the implementation task in hand whether it be a single or multifaceted approach and reviewed on an individual basi