ORCID Profile
0000-0002-8207-8404
Current Organisation
Edith Cowan University
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Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
Date: 09-08-2021
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 19-01-2020
Abstract: Cancer can disrupt participation in everyday activities, suggesting a place for occupational therapy however, there is a need to articulate the nature, scope and available evidence supporting the occupational therapy role within cancer care. In this scoping review, we identify the breadth of practice and evidence for occupational therapy in cancer care, across all stages of the disease trajectory (diagnosis to palliation/survivorship) throughout the lifespan. Five electronic databases were searched in June 2018, for English language articles. Key words were: cancer care, OR oncolog*, OR oncologic care, OR neoplasms, OR cancer survivors, OR terminal cancer, OR cancer rehabilitation, AND occupational therap*. No date restrictions were imposed. Included were: all styles of literature including grey literature, all types of cancers and all age brackets. There were no restrictions on place of origin of papers. Following the Arksey and O'Malley (2006 International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 8: 19-32) framework for scoping reviews, the first author screened titles and abstracts, and all three authors reviewed sets of the included articles. Conflicts were discussed until consensus was reached. After evaluating 305 titles and abstracts and 111 full-text articles, 89 papers were retained. Articles included research studies (n = 43), reviews (n = 15), grey literature (n = 16), practice analyses (n = 14) and an editorial (n = 1). The occupational therapy roles described were erse, but largely descriptive in nature, with little evidence of outcomes from treatment. Furthermore, the majority of papers addressed adult populations, with few considering children, adolescents or young adults. Most papers focused on specific stages of the disease, and none addressed the disease along its full trajectory. Despite identifying a erse range of occupational therapy roles in cancer care throughout the disease trajectory and across the lifespan, the need for professional discourse and research within our profession was highlighted. This was particularly evident for adolescents and young adults with cancer.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 17-01-2022
Abstract: Young adulthood is a period of rapid occupational role development. While the impact of a cancer diagnosis at this time is likely to be substantial, little research has addressed this topic. The aims of this study were to gain insights into the impact of cancer on occupational roles throughout the cancer disease trajectory, from diagnosis to the palliative stage, for one young person. A longitudinal case study design was used. Five semi‐structured interviews, layered with photo elicitation, were conducted over 3 years. Qualitative data were analysed thematically. Three themes emerged: the adjusted plan, establishing rules, and damage control and self‐preservation. Challenges impacting participation in, and meaning of, and the occupational roles themselves shifted over time. Findings provide knowledge of occupational adaptation, and the reconstruction of occupational role identity and participation, of the young adult living with cancer along the disease trajectory.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 28-12-2022
Abstract: Palliative Care Australia suggests current needs (emotional wellbeing, understanding of cancers impact on relationships, everyday activities, and life milestones) for adolescent and young adults in palliative care are unmet due to a lack of age‐specific palliative care facilities in Australia. This includes the provision of occupational therapy that can impact these unmet needs. Although the occupational therapy role in palliative care has been documented, little is known about existing occupational therapy services or occupational needs for young people with palliative care needs. The aims of this study were to obtain occupational therapists insights of working with this population in Australia regarding (1) gaps in palliative care services for this population (2) facilitators and challenges to providing occupational therapy for this group and (3) perceived occupational needs of young people living with a life‐limiting cancer diagnosis. Using snowball s ling, an online survey was distributed to occupational therapists with experience working in palliative cancer care with adolescents and young adults. Available for 6 weeks, the survey included demographic, work history, and service delivery questions. Forced‐choice questions were summarised descriptively, and content analysis was used to analyse free‐text data. Eleven completed surveys were returned. Overall, therapists perceived current palliative care services for this population within Australia to be lacking. Two gaps emerged: age‐appropriate facilities and gaps in provision of psycho‐social and occupational therapy services. Funding, lack of knowledge of the occupational therapy role, and professional confidence were highlighted as challenges to practice. Main occupational needs related to maintenance of as “normal” a life as possible: maintaining occupational role engagement, continuing connection with others, and being heard regarding their occupational needs. Findings suggest a need for service changes, including custom‐designed facilities, improved funding, training and mentoring, to support age‐appropriate and occupation‐focussed care for the young person in cancer‐specific palliative care.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 17-09-2021
Abstract: Advances in cancer treatment over the last decade have led to increased survival rates. As a result, survivors are living longer with and beyond cancer, often with greater levels of morbidity. Occupational therapists, with their focus on remedial and compensatory strategies to improve function and participation, are well suited to assess and intervene with this population. Despite this, little research exists to demonstrate the efficacy of interventions and value of the occupational therapy role. This systematic review aimed to review how and when occupational therapists provide services for adult patients with cancer and identify where they add the most value. A systematic search was conducted of six electronic databases. Eligible studies reported on occupational therapy interventions targeting management of cancer symptoms, rehabilitation or environmental modifications for adult cancer patients discharged from acute hospital services. Data extraction and quality assessment were undertaken by two reviewers. Narrative synthesis summarised the attributes and treatment outcomes of each intervention. Nine articles were included from a total of 309 articles retrieved. Eight different interventions were reported for people with cancer ( n = 531). Small s le sizes and methodological quality precluded any formal analysis however, intervention components that showed positive results were person‐centred, in idualised and included regular monitoring and flexibility in care, with input from multidisciplinary health professionals. Therapists also need to reflect upon the optimal duration of interventions and selection of outcome measures that specifically match intervention components. Despite inconclusive support of any particular type of intervention, this systematic review identified several successful intervention components for occupational therapists working with people with or beyond cancer. Overall, findings suggest that monitored tailored programmes compensating for fluctuations in a patient's condition have efficacy to improve patient outcomes and should be considered when delivering intervention with patients post hospital discharge.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 08-03-2021
Abstract: Progress in the early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer has translated into more people in Australia living with and beyond cancer. Therefore, there is a larger number of people returning to work following cancer treatment while managing ongoing symptoms of cancer, and side effects of treatment. The purpose of this study was to explore the facilitators and barriers for return to work for someone with cancer, from the perspective of occupational therapists. This study used a qualitative descriptive design. Participants were recruited via key contacts within the industry and relevant interest groups, and included eight occupational therapists with experience supporting someone with cancer to return to work. Data were collected in semi‐structured in‐depth Interviews which were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed thematically. Two main themes were developed expectations of the cancer experience versus reality, and vulnerability during return to work. Occupational therapists perceived that the person with cancer, employers, family members, co‐workers, and society underestimate the impact of ongoing cancer symptoms on return to work. Return to work was challenging as survivors face unexpected challenges due to ongoing fatigue, cognitive difficulties, or psychological factors. Fear of relapse, concerns regarding disclosure affecting how people with cancer are perceived at work, and worries of leaving the high levels of professional support during treatment, also affected return to work. Findings from this study may contribute to occupational therapists and people with cancer setting realistic expectations for the return to work experience. Furthermore, it may provide support for occupational therapists to work more effectively with their clients to facilitate a smoother transition back to work as a cancer survivor.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 14-10-2021
Abstract: Whilst it is recognised that cancer may present numerous challenges for the adolescent or young adult during treatment, experiences after this stage as the young person transitions to life without cancer have received little attention. The purpose of this study is to understand the implications of having survived cancer for the young person’s choice of, and participation in, meaningful occupational roles. In this qualitative descriptive study, four participants were interviewed on two occasions using semi-structured interviews, with the subsequent interview supplemented with photo elicitation. Participants were male and female, aged 19 and 24 years, and medically cleared of (living beyond) cancer. Thematic analysis was used. Three main themes emerged: changes in relationships moving beyond and future perspectives. Adolescents and young adults identified the impact of the cancer experience on interpersonal relationships and related occupational roles (for ex le parenthood), and described how cancer affected their participation in, and the meaning of, occupational roles, and altered present and future occupational priorities. Having cancer as an adolescent or young adult has lasting impacts on occupational roles. Understanding the opportunities and challenges this population may face when living beyond cancer can assist in providing enhanced age-aware occupational therapy, potentially optimising outcomes for young people.
No related grants have been discovered for Dr Amy Wallis.