Browsing by Author "Van Niekerk, Lana"
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- ItemOpen AccessChanging demographic trends among South African occupational therapists: 2002 to 2018(2020-03-20) Ned, Lieketseng; Tiwari, Ritika; Buchanan, Helen; Van Niekerk, Lana; Sherry, Kate; Chikte, UsufAbstract Background South Africa’s quadruple burden of disease, coupled with health system challenges and other factors, predicts a high burden of disability within the population. Human Resources for Health policy and planning need to take account of this challenge. Occupational therapists are part of the health rehabilitation team, and their supply and status in the workforce need to be better understood. Methods The study was a retrospective record-based review of the Health Professions Council of South Africa database from 2002 to 2018. The data obtained from the Health Professions Council of South Africa was analysed for the following variables: geographical location, population groups, age, practice type and sex. Data was entered on a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS version 22.0). Results In 2018, there were 5180 occupational therapists registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa with a ratio of 0.9 occupational therapists per 10 000 population. There has been an average annual increase of 7.1% over the time period of 2002–2018. The majority of occupational therapists are located in the more densely populated and urbanised provinces, namely Gauteng, Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. Most of the registered occupational therapists are under the age of 40 years (67.7%). The majority (66%) are classified as white followed by those classified as black and coloured. Females make up 95% of the registered occupational therapists. Nationally, 74.8% of occupational therapists are deployed in the private sector catering for 16% of the population while approximately 25.2% are employed in the public sector catering for 84% of the population. Conclusions Under-resourcing and disparities in the profile and distribution of occupational therapy human resources remain an abiding concern which negatively impacts on rehabilitation service provision and equitable health and rehabilitation outcomes.
- ItemOpen AccessCreating supported employment partnerships for people with psychiatric disabilities(2008) Hajwani, Zerina; Van Niekerk, LanaThis study focused on the process of forming partnerships between a supported environment programme and three businesses. A qualitative approach, namely collective case study, was used.
- ItemOpen AccessA critical ethnography of young adolescents' occupational choices in a community in post-apartheid South Africa(2010) Galvaan, Roshan; Amosun, Seyi L; Van Niekerk, LanaThis thesis explored the occupational choices of young adolescents in a southern peninsula Cape Town community of Lavender Hill in South Africa. Informed by current research and prior professional and personal experiences with young adolescents in Lavender Hill, the research question asked: 'What informs occupational choice among young adolescents in Lavender Hill?' This complemented the research aim, which was to generate insight into the nature of the occupational choices of a group of young adolescents in Lavender Hill, and the factors that influenced their occupational choices.
- ItemOpen AccessDeveloping appropriate Fetal Alchohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) prevention initiatives within a rural community in South Africa(2012) Cloete, Lizahn; London, Leslie; Van Niekerk, LanaThis study focused on women who consumed alcohol during pregnancy. The study population was situated in the West Coast/Winelands, a rural area in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. The study was done in a community which is classified as one of the many previously disadvantaged groups in South Africa. This study was done as part of a larger three-year project on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Prevention in the Western Cape and Gauteng Provinces of South Africa. The phenomenon of drinking during pregnancy was used as a case example of health compromising occupations in the South African context. Prenatal alcohol exposure may result in brain damage that affects behaviors of those affected. The beliefs, norms, values and perceptions of mothers regarding alcohol consumption are also an important aspect in maintaining healthy pregnancies.
- ItemOpen AccessExploring evidence-based practice in Namibia - a co-operative inquiry(2012) Burger, Helga; Buchanan, Helen; Van Niekerk, LanaSince no scientifically obtained information existed on engagement in EBP by Namibian-based occupational therapists, the researcher set out to explore the usefulness and feasibility of evidence-based practice (EBP) for occupational therapists in Namibia. An action research, specifically co-operative inquiry was chosen as methodology. This enabled the researchers to simultaneously raise awareness of and disseminate information reading EBP and collect experience based data from co-researchers. Purposive sampling, in particular maximum variation sampling, promised a wide yield of data; this was collected from participants' experiences as they engaged in and reflected on retrieving evidence and participation in focus group meetings. A qualitative content analysis and coding of verbatim transcriptions of focus group meetings together with written reflections of participating occupational therapists (co-researchers) revealed three themes. Co-researchers reported mixed feelings about the possibilities of evidence-based practice; they observed shifts in their understanding and skills base of EBP; and they provided suggestions on how EBP could be implemented in Namibia. An interpretation of the findings of the study suggest, however, that intent to change and gain knowledge and skills do not necessarily lead to changed behaviour; social structures, including hegemonies related to lack of access to evidence, are shown to impact negatively on implementing EBP in Namibia. It is suggested that a group approach with agreed upon targets, incorporating monitoring of attitudes and intention to perform, broadening and deepening knowledge and skills, while addressing structural constraints and bad habits, could deliver positive results.
- ItemOpen AccessExploring the impact of rape on women's occupations(2003) Sonnie, Waheeda; Ward, Catherine L; Van Niekerk, LanaThis qualitative study, with elements of co-operative enquiry and phenomenology, endeavoured to describe the impact of rape on the occupations of women who have been raped. Data were gathered from participants who were clients at Rape Crisis, Observatory, through 4 unstructured focus groups and analyses to explore changes in their occupations. What emerged was that the participants were all dissatisfied with their occupations. The overwhelming impact of symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) on all their occupations was discussed. A dynamic between Person, Occupation and Environment impacted on the occupational engagement and avoidance by the participant. Recommendations for the rape survivors, service providers and family members were made.
- ItemOpen AccessThe impact of inadequate provision of mobility devices on the lives of physically disabled children in Tembalethu special school in the township of Gugulethu, Cape Town(2001) Gcaza, Siphokazi; Lorenzo, Theresa; Van Niekerk, LanaIn this qualitative study a case study approach was used out to explore and describe the perceptions of children with mobility impairments in Tembalethu Special School related to the effects of inadequate provision of assistive devices on their lives.
- ItemOpen AccessThe influences that impact on the work-lives of people with psychiatric disability : an interpretive biography(2004) Van Niekerk, LanaIncudes bibliographical references.
- ItemOpen AccessThe live-in domestic workers' experience of occupational engagement(2000) Galvaan, Roshan; Van Niekerk, LanaBibliographical references.
- ItemOpen AccessNature and meaning of occupation for young men with tetraplegia living on the Cape Flats(2000) Beeton, Hilary Jane; Whiteneck, Gale; Van Niekerk, LanaIn this qualitative study, in-depth interviews with three young men with tetraplegia, who have resumed living in their pre-injury environments on the Cape Flats, were used to uncover the meanings they attach to their everyday occupations. The aim of the study was to gain a deeper understanding of the nature and meaning of their occupations. Themes which emerged from an inductive analysis of the data: "It's a boring life", "Feeling trapped" and "Struggling to find a way", indicated that the most prevalent experience of occupation, was its limited and monotonous repertoire. Contextual barriers served to restrict opportunities for meaningful occupation. However, tentative meaning making through occupational strategies was evident. Occupations supporting meaningful relationships were highly valued in the absence of physical capacity. The contribution of occupation to re-defining self identity following a major life disruption, was discovered in relation to the themes. The findings have implications for clinical practice aimed at enabling occupation and for policy development.
- ItemOpen AccessOccupation focused conceptual frameworks(2014-09-17) Ramafikeng, Matumo; Galvaan, Roshan; Van Niekerk, LanaConceptual frameworks are the core concepts of occupational therapy thinking used in practice by occupational therapy students, therapists and scientists. This module is a continuation of what students have covered in second year study at the University of Cape Town where they covered generic conceptual frameworks. This OT-focused module is therefore aimed at such users and occupational therapy training institutions that could make use of the information contained in this module.
- ItemOpen AccessParticipation in work: A human rights issue for people with psychiatric disabilities(2008) Van Niekerk, LanaThe article will endeavour to situate discrimination against disabled people in the world of work as a human rights issue. An argument will be made for occupational therapists to give more attention to recent developments in the literature, policies and legislation in order to develop services that will best promote the participation of people with disability in work. Recommendations for service models will be made, each based on a case study that was developed using an interpretive biography research design.
- ItemOpen AccessStrategies occupational therapists employ to facilitate work-related transitions for persons with hand injuries: a study protocol(2019-04-11) Uys, Michelle Elizabeth; Buchanan, Helen; Van Niekerk, LanaIntroduction Hands make it possible to be employable and productive, to communicate non-verbally and to perform fine motor tasks required in day-to-day activities. Sustaining a hand injury can be detrimental to function including the ability to work. As the literature on work-related transitions is scattered across a range of journals, it is difficult to get a sense of how much literature there is, what is known and where the gaps lie. This scoping study will provide a single source of up-to-date evidence to inform health professionals about the strategies occupational therapists employ to facilitate work-related transitions for people with hand injuries. Methods and analysis The Methodological Framework by Arksey and O’Malley (2005) will form the structure of the scoping review. The search strategy has been developed in collaboration with a subject librarian. The following databases will be searched: EBSCOhost including only Medline, CINAHL and Nursing/Academic Edition; PubMed, Scopus, The Cochrane library and Web of Science. Reference lists will be examined, and grey literature sources will be searched to ensure that literature missed in the database searches is included. Covidence will be used to manage the project. Full-texts will be uploaded for literature that meets the inclusion criteria. A process of blind review will be used to ensure that consistency and rigour is upheld. Ethics and Dissemination The findings of the scoping review will be disseminated in an article, within 2019, to be published in a peer-reviewed journal. The findings will be presented at conferences to ensure the optimal dissemination of the scoping review's conclusions.
- ItemOpen AccessUnderstanding stress reducing adaptation in the work place(2004) Henshall, Claire; Van Niekerk, Lana; Watson, RuthBibliography: leaves 120-126.