Naomi Schreuer | PubMed Health

PubMed2006

Adjustment to severe disability: constructing and examining a cognitive and occupational performance model.

Ninety adults with severe physical disabilities were tested with respect to their adjustment to severe disabilities in their adapted computerized work environment 1 year following occupational therapy consultation. The research goal was to examine a model that incorporates variables from the cognitive coping model (self-esteem, appraisal and social support) and variables from the occupational performance model (engagement in activities, involvement in work/study, time of typing performance and environmental adaptations). Findings showed goodness of fit between the observed and the proposed research models, although few changes in positions and relations were found. Self-esteem and time of performance were found to be core variables connecting cognitive and functional variables. Age and activities of daily living were the only background variables that contributed to the model. Research and rehabilitation clinical implications are discussed.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed2004

An online learning course in Ergonomics.

For the past two years, the Department of Occupational Therapy at the University of Haifa has offered an online course to third year occupational therapists on the topic of Ergonomics for Health Care Professionals. The development and implementation of this course was funded by the Israeli Ministry of Education. Unique teaching materials, developed and uploaded to the University's server via "High Learn", included interactive and self-directed documents containing graphics, animations, and video clips. Extensive use was made of the discussion forum and survey tools, and students submitted all assignments online. For the final topic, an expert in ergonomics from Boston University delivered a lecture via two-way videoconferencing. The course site included comprehensive library listings in which all bibliographic materials were made available online. Students accessed course materials at the University in a computer classroom and at home via modem. In an accompanying research study, the frequency of student usage of the various online tools was tracked and extensive data were collected via questionnaires documenting students' demographic background, preferred learning style, prior usage of technology, satisfaction with the course and academic achievement. This paper focuses on the results of the research study that examined how the students responded to and coped with teaching material presented and accessed in this format.

Adult↗