Biomedical subjects

Synneve Dahlin Ivanoff

Publications and source records attributed to Synneve Dahlin Ivanoff.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2007

Supervisors' views on employer responsibility in the return to work process. A focus group study.

BACKGROUND: Supervisors' attitudes and measures have been pointed out by employees to influence the return to work process. The purpose of this study was to explore supervisors' views on employer responsibility in the return to work process and factors influencing the support of sick-listed employees. METHOD: The focus group method was used. Six groups were conducted and each group met on one occasion. Twenty-three supervisors experienced in managing sick-listed employees participated. RESULT: Two different themes emerged; In "The Supervisor is the Key Person" the participants found themselves as being key persons, carrying the main responsibility for the rehabilitation of the sick-listed employees and for creating a good working environment, thus preventing ill health and sick-listing among the employees. In the second theme "Influential Factors in Rehabilitation Work" the participants described the rehabilitation work as a part of a greater whole influenced by society, demands and resources of the workplace and the interplay between all parties involved. CONCLUSION: The study gives us the supervisors' perspective on the complexity of the return to work rehabilitation. This knowledge could be invaluable and be used to improve the possibilities for developing successful collaboration in occupational rehabilitation.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Understanding the multiple realities of everyday life: basic assumptions in focus-group methodology.

In recent years, there has been a notable growth in the use of focus groups within occupational therapy. It is important to understand what kind of knowledge focus-group methodology is meant to acquire. The purpose of this article is to create an understanding of the basic assumptions within focus-group methodology from a theory of science perspective in order to elucidate and encourage reflection on the paradigm. This will be done based on a study of contemporary literature. To further the knowledge of basic assumptions the article will focus on the following themes: the focus-group research arena, the foundation and its core components; subjects, the role of the researcher and the participants; activities, the specific tasks and procedures. Focus-group methodology can be regarded as a specific research method within qualitative methodology with its own form of methodological criteria, as well as its own research procedures. Participants construct a framework to make sense of their experiences, and in interaction with others these experiences will be modified, leading to the construction of new knowledge. The role of the group leader is to facilitate a fruitful environment for the meaning to emerge and to ensure that the understanding of the meaning emerges independently of the interpreter. Focus-group methodology thus shares, in the authors' view, some basic assumptions with social constructivism.

Focus Groups↗

PubMed2006

Occupational therapy research on assistive technology and physical environmental issues: a literature review.

BACKGROUND: To determine future directions for research in the area of assistive technology and physical environmental issues, it is important to have an understanding of prior research. PURPOSE: This literature review examined how assistive technology and physical environmental issues have been studied in the research published in international peer-reviewed occupational therapy journals. METHOD: Five recent volumes of nine journals were manually searched utilizing specific criteria. The publications were classified according to their perspective, application of the Person-Environment-Occupation (PEO) model, and the research design. RESULTS: Both research fields demonstrated use of different research methods and they displayed equal needs with regard to improved research methodologies. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: There are a lack of studies involving all three PEO components indicating a lack of research in occupational performance issues. Further research on occupational performance is important for developing occupational therapy practice in the area of assistive technology and physical environmental issues. Furthermore, study designs reflecting the societal level in all three PEO components are required. Finally, there is a strong need for conceptual and theoretical development in both fields.

Environment↗

PubMed2006

Health education for people with macular degeneration: learning experiences and the effect on daily occupations.

BACKGROUND: Discovering New Ways, a program for people with macular degeneration, was developed based on a health education model incorporating occupation. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the participants' learning experience in the program and the significance for their daily occupations. METHOD: Within an experimental design format, a content analysis was performed. Ninety-two people with macular degeneration were interviewed 1 and 16 months after the intervention. RESULTS: Participants in the individual intervention program stated that they mastered occupational tasks as a result of the provision of assistive devices. Participants in the health education program stated that the problem-solving toolbox provided them with hope and confidence to master daily occupations. The participants'experience of learning within the health education program has provided important feedback regarding the structure of the health education model and its learning process. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The health education model may be seen as a model to design early interventions for individuals with health conditions which can impact occupational performance.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2005

Changes in the use of assistive devices among 90-year-old persons.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The growing numbers of elderly people are expected to lead to an increasing demand for assistive devices. The purpose of this study was to examine changes in the use of assistive devices over time and their relation to dependence in daily activities among 90-year-old persons living at home. METHODS: This retrospective longitudinal study examined the 90-year-old population at the ages of 85 and 90, and 195 persons participated. RESULTS: 92% of the 90-year-old population used assistive devices at the age of 90, compared with 74% at the age of 85. Between this interval, 19% became new users, 73% were permanent users, and 7% did not make any use of assistive devices. There was a significantly higher proportion of device-users among those who were dependent in both personal daily activities (PADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) (98.5%, p < 0.001) and among those who were dependent in IADL (94%, p < 0.001) compared with those who were independent in ADL (72%). At the age of 90, bathing and mobility devices were the most frequently used. Mobility devices such as walking-frames and wheel-chairs were the most widely distributed devices in this group. CONCLUSIONS: The use of assistive devices increases with age, very few 90-year-olds remain nonusers at age 90, and the multiple use of assistive devices at 90 years of age is very common. This complexity put great demands on health care services, and highly skilled professionals are needed to meet these demands.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2004

Women on sickness absence--views of possibilities and obstacles for returning to work. A focus group study.

PURPOSE: The aim was to learn how women on sickness absence due to work related strain perceive and describe their possibilities and obstacles for returning to work. METHOD: The focus group method was used. Five groups were conducted and each group met at one occasion. Twenty women participated in total. RESULTS: Three different themes were found. In 'The process of losing control' the participants describe the process from controlling every day living, to total loss of control of private and working life. The second theme, 'Not finding alternatives', deals with the difficulties of finding an alternative way back to work. 'Mastering life as a whole' contains strategies for regaining control over daily activities and life as a whole. The results show that personal as well as environmental factors have an impact for returning to work. CONCLUSIONS: In this study we have received an understanding of the complex situation of being on sickness absence due to work related strain. We have learned the importance of recognizing the context of the individual and understanding the interplay between the person and the environment. As professionals in rehabilitation we can use this knowledge to create a rehabilitation programme supporting people back to work.

Absenteeism↗