Author: Helen OTUK

Research Impact Assessment: why, how and who?

This #OTalk will be led by Dr Jenny Preston, Consultant Occupational Therapist @preston_jenny with @NikkiDanielsOT on the @OTalk_ account.

During the @theRCOT 2020 Elizabeth Casson Memorial Lecture I challenged the occupational therapy profession to consider the role, purpose and current practice in relation to research impact assessment. This #OTalk Research chat aims to continue this conversation in an attempt to more fully understand the current landscape in relation to occupational therapy research while also providing an opportunity to share learning about the variety of methods that are currently being used to translate new knowledge into policy and practice.

Research impact assessment in itself is recognised as a new field of scientific endeavour (Milat et al, 2015) and the occupational therapy profession needs to consider its contribution to this complex and growing field of enquiry (Greenhalgh et al, 2016). During this #OTalk we will discuss the current evidence for research impact assessment and the associated challenges in demonstrating how research investment leads to improvements in policy, practice, resource allocation and ultimately the health and well-being of the community (Milat et al, 2015). We will seek to identify which conceptual frameworks are currently being used to describe and understand the impact of occupational therapy research.

Additionally we will explore why research impact assessment is important to the occupational therapy profession by understanding how we are currently describing, measuring and communicating research impact. Through the discussion we will begin to explore the dimensions of benefit to inform future work on the development of indicators and metrics (Banzi et al, 2011) while seeking to develop a more common understanding of terminology. Evidence of how occupational therapy researchers are engaging with all stakeholders and partners in the assessment of impact will also be considered.

Finally we will seek to share experiences of how occupational therapy researchers are developing and articulating evidence that facilitates a quicker return on investment by supporting the profession to select the most effective and cost effective interventions so that quality and appropriateness can be maximised (Banzi et al, 2011).

In preparation for this #OTalk Research you may wish to consider the following questions which will be discussed on the night:

1. Do you have any experience of research impact assessment?
2. How do you build assessment of research impact into your research proposal?
3. Which models of impact assessment are you currently using?
4. What are the key dimensions of benefit when describing, measuring and articulating research impact?
5. Who should determine the impact of research?

References
Banzi R, Moja L, Pistotti V, Facchini A, Liberati A (2011) Conceptual frameworks and empirical approaches used to assess the impact of health research: an overview of reviews. Health Research Policy and Systems, 9:26, 1-10

Greenhalgh T, Raftery J, Hanney S, Glover M, (2016) Research impact: a narrative review. BMC Medicine 14:78 DOI 10.1186/s12916-016-0620-8

Milat AJ, Bauman AE and Redman S (2015) A narrative review of research impact assessment models and methods. Health Research Policy and Systems, 13:18, 1-7

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This weeks chat will be hosted by Abigail Matthews @Abi21643842

I have recently started to learn about the role of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in supporting individuals with severe and enduring mental health needs, through an occupational lens. This therapy teaches that people should focus on what they can control and make actions towards values which create a meaningful life. ACT is a mindfulness-based behavioural therapy that encourages clients to expand their lives alongside the existence of inevitable pain and suffering (Harris, 2011). His renowned self-help book the happiness trap (2011, b) prioritises acceptance and personal development over symptom reduction. If one is focused on improving the present moment, there is recognition of the world of opportunities outside our own self-critical thoughts and current difficulties. We are more than the sum of our past experiences, thoughts and feelings (Harris, 2011). The 21st century is full of complexity and life stressors (eg. work, politics and healthcare) which can ultimately negatively impact mental health and well-being, if we do not embrace contentment and meaning in everyday life (Harris, 2011).  If we solely focus on solving problems we will never achieve happiness. In a similar way, Behavioural activation helps alleviate depression through planning pleasurable activities based on what we are motivated to change (Ekers et al, 2014). It teaches us that we are able to control our mood through our behaviour. This approach is often used by Occupational therapists to create change based on the occupations that we both want and need to do in order to live a fulfilling life. To maintain health and well-being, Occupational Therapy helps people to develop a sense of being, becoming and belonging through engagement in everyday life (Wilcock, 1998). In a similar way to ACT, solution focused brief therapy also focuses on achieving happiness by exploring solutions rather than trying to resolve indicators of poor health (Nicholas and Schwartz, 1998). These psychological approaches appear to hold a common focus in identifying action aligned with personal values. It could be argued that as Occupational Therapist we are already following a values based approach, given that client centred prioritises what’s important to the client (Townsend et al, 1990). It is through expanding our occupations of interest (self-care, leisure and productivity) that we can maintain our mental health and well-being (CAOT, 2002). This OTalk will explore these psychological approaches further and consider their place in OT practice.

Questions

What do you feel is the role of ACT in your setting and working with specific population needs?

What OT tools and strategies could you use to embed an ACT perspective in your practice?

How well do you as occupational therapist embrace a values based approach in your practice?

What have you taken from today that will support you in your OT role?

References

Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT, 2002). Enabling occupation: an occupational therapy perspective. Ottawa, ON: Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists.

Harris, R. (2011a). Embracing your demons: An overview of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Psychotherapy. Retrieved from https://www.psychotherapy.net/article/Acceptance-and-Commitment-Therapy-ACT#section-the-goal-of-act

Harris, R., (2011b). The happiness trap. ReadHowYouWant. com.

Nichols, M. and Schwartz, R., 1998. From strategic to solution focused: The evolution of brief therapy. M. Nichols & R. Schwartz, Family therapy: Concepts and methods, pp.355-396.

Townsend, E., Brintnell, S., Staisey, N. (1990). Developing guidelines for client-centred occupational therapy practice. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 57, 69–76.

Wilcock, A. (1998). An occupational perspective of health. Thorofare, NJ: Slack.

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Welcome to this week’s #OTalk Research. I am Jeni Woods (@Jeni_Woods_OT) and I work as a Specialist Haematology Oncology Occupational Therapist at the Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester and Chair of the RCOT Specialist Section for Major Health Conditions.

Research is a core component of occupational therapy’s practice and is outlined within the Health and Care Profession’s Council (2013) standards of proficiency for occupational therapists and the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (2019) Career development framework.

This summer I completed a MSc in Advanced Occupational Therapy at the University of Salford. I have grown so much from a leadership and research perspective over the course of the three years it took to complete the course. As I progressed throughout this course and undertook various local and national projects relating to improving patient care in oncology and palliative care – the need for occupational therapists to undertake and publish research has resonated deeply with me. Without the evidence to demonstrate the impact that occupational therapists can have on a person’s health, well-being and overall quality of life – how can we be expected to be included in national guidance, which often draws upon the evidence base available?

However, as I handed in my dissertation I thought that was enough studying for me. It had been a tough 18 months balancing the demands of raising a young family, my role at the Christie and my voluntary work with the specialist section. Furthermore, I’d experienced a number of deaths of family members, which had impacted my studies. But after six weeks of no studying, no reading and critically appraising journal articles, no musings over how to structure an argument with an essay and no going round in circles with seemingly never ending literature searches – I had some persistent thoughts. I missed studying and the way it challenged my thinking and enabled me to generate new ideas, which influenced my clinical practice. Moreover, undertaking the MSc had enabled me to develop my research skills and I wanted to be able to build upon these.

Various options are available which could facilitate achieving this goal, but for me, the decision has been made to pursue a PhD or Professional Doctorate option.

So here I am reaching out to the #OTalk research community for advice on how myself and others in a similar position can shape their early research career.

1. What opportunities are you aware of, or have you experienced, which support occupational therapists to develop on their research career journey?
2. What advice would you offer to anyone considering formal study, such as a PhD or professional doctorate, to further their research career?
3. What are the challenges and rewards of undertaking a formal research qualification to develop your research career?
4. What activities helped you to strengthen your CV as an early researcher?
5. What did you find helpful when preparing a research proposal?
6. Can you share any tips or advice to support others with their application to study at doctoral level?

References:
HCPC (2013) Standards of Proficiency – Occupational Therapists. Retrieved from: https://www.hcpc-uk.org/resources/standards/standards-of-proficiency-occupational-therapists/ RCOT (2019) The Career Development Framework: Guiding Principles for Occupational Therapy.
Retrieved from: https://www.rcot.co.uk/sites/default/files/CAREER_FRAMEWORK.pdf

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This weeks chat will be hosted by Nina Bedding & Cath Turner @OT_ninabedding. @CathTurner7.

During September we, alongside other universities across the country, have welcomed back returning and new students in a very different way to previous years. The use of technology and virtual learning is at an all-time high as we are forced to stay safe throughout this global pandemic. It is lovely to have such passionate and enthusiastic students who are flexible and willing to adapt to the various learning and teaching methods. Students will be wondering about if and how practice placements will be incorporated in to their courses, as well as having the usual anticipatory feelings about the new experience coming their way.

Every Occupational Therapist began as a student. We expect every one of us in the occupational therapy community had apprehensions about placement at the same time as being super excited. Some of our students have had placements cancelled and therefore desperate to get out into the ‘real world’ others are more cautious as they are now in second year and have still not had that valuable placement experience. So what better way than for us to use this reflective #OTtalk opportunity to share our experiences and advice around practice placements. This hour will also offer students the opportunity to share advice and ask questions about the journey they have embarked upon. As you will be sharing examples, please remember to maintain the confidentiality of the people that you worked with and the places where you were on placement.

For any new students please jump in and ask questions as the hour goes by.

1. For our students out there, what are you most looking forward to and least looking forward to?
2. What preparation would you advise a student to do in the lead up to a
   placement?
3. What was the highlight of your placement experience, were there any light bulb moments?
4. If you could give one bit of advice to a student about to commence a
   placement what would it be?

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