ORCID Profile
0000-0002-3779-5463
Current Organisation
Federation University
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Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2015
DOI: 10.1016/J.AAP.2015.03.014
Abstract: Little is known about the trajectory of recovery in fitness-to-drive after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). This means that health-care professionals have limited evidence on which to base recommendations to this cohort about driving. To determine fitness-to-drive status of patients with a mTBI at 24h and two weeks post injury, and to summarise issues reported by this cohort about return to driving. Quasi-experimental case-control design. Two groups of participants were recruited: patients with a mTBI (n=60) and a control group with orthopaedic injuries (n=60). Both groups were assessed at 24h post injury on assessments of fitness-to-drive. Follow-up occurred at two weeks post injury to establish driver status. Mini mental state examination, occupational therapy-drive home maze test (OT-DHMT), Road Law Road Craft Test, University of Queensland-Hazard Perception Test, and demographic/interview form collected at 24h and at two weeks. At the 24h assessment, only the OT-DHMT showed a difference in scores between the two groups, with mTBI participants being significantly slower to complete the test (p=0.01). At the two week follow-up, only 26 of the 60 mTBI participants had returned to driving. Injury severity combined with scores from the 24h assessment predicted 31% of the variance in time taken to return to driving. Delayed return to driving was reported due to: "not feeling 100% right" (n=14, 23%), headaches and pain (n=12, 20%), and dizziness (n=5, 8%). This research supports existing guidelines which suggest that patients with a mTBI should not to drive for 24h however, further research is required to map factors which facilitate timely return to driving.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 20-09-2011
DOI: 10.1111/J.1440-1630.2011.00966.X
Abstract: This research project aimed to understand the challenges faced by occupational therapists when making recommendations regarding the restraint of children with additional needs in motor vehicles in Victoria, Australia. A cross-sectional survey design was used to explore current practice in relation to the prescription of motor vehicle restraints in Victoria, Australia. An electronic survey was sent to occupational therapists working with children aged from birth to 18 years in early intervention services, hospitals, schools, community services or private practice. Challenges faced by occupational therapists related to a lack of knowledge of relevant standards and legal requirements, issues seating children with behavioural difficulties, families' inability to purchase recommended equipment and constraints as a result of funding issues. Further work is required to develop appropriate resources which support occupational therapists to make car seating recommendations for children with additional needs which comply with Australian legal requirements and standards.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 02-09-2020
Abstract: This study examined the patterns of informal (unpaid) caregiving provided to people after moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), explore the self-reported burden and preparedness for the caregiving role, and identify factors predictive of caregiver burden and preparedness. A cross-sectional cohort design was used. Informal caregivers completed the Demand and Difficulty subscales of the Caregiving Burden Scale and the Mutuality, Preparedness, and Global Strain subscales of the Family Care Inventory. Chi-square tests and logistic regression were used to examine the relationships between caregiver and care recipient variables and preparedness for caregiving. Twenty-nine informal caregivers who reported data on themselves and people with a moderate to severe TBI were recruited (referred to as a dyad). Most caregivers were female (n = 21, 72%), lived with the care recipient (n = 20, 69%), and reported high levels of burden on both scales. While most caregivers (n = 21, 72%) felt “pretty well” or “very well” prepared for caregiving, they were least prepared to get help or information from the health system, and to deal with the stress of caregiving. No significant relationships or predictors for caregiver burden or preparedness were identified. While caregivers reported the provision of care as both highly difficult and demanding, further research is required to better understand the reasons for the variability in caregiver experience, and ultimately how to best prepare caregivers for this long-term role.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 05-12-2012
DOI: 10.1111/J.1440-1630.2011.00979.X
Abstract: Research has been conducted over several years to develop a new off-road assessment battery referred to as the Occupational Therapy - Driver Off-Road Assessment Battery. This article documents the development of the Battery, and provides preliminary research evidence to support its content and predictive validity. Literature reviews and a focus group with nine driver assessor occupational therapists were undertaken, as well as data collection using the Occupational Therapy - Driver Off-Road Assessment Battery with 246 clients. A Classification and Regression Tree model was constructed to ascertain the predictive validity of the Battery, with fitness-to-drive as the outcome. Twenty-one physical, 13 sensory and seven assessments of cognition erception were identified as being reflective of the skills required for driving. Following rating of their psychometric properties, the best assessments were presented to focus group members. The driver assessors supported the inclusion of several assessments and encouraged the development of new assessments. A draft version of the Occupational Therapy - Driver Off-Road Assessment Battery was tested and found to have excellent predictive validity for client on-road performance of 82.6%. The Classification and Regression Tree model showed that client performance on tests included in the Battery should be used together, rather than in isolation, to support fitness-to-drive recommendations. This research identified the most suitable physical, sensory and cognitive assessments to include in the Occupational Therapy - Driver Off-Road Assessment Battery, and provided support for its validity. The development of this standardised battery assists driver assessors to accurately and consistently assess and report the off-road driving capacity of clients.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 08-12-2022
DOI: 10.1080/07380577.2021.2012734
Abstract: This study investigated outcomes of a community-based upper limb rehabilitation group for adult stroke survivors in metropolitan Australia. Pre-post data were extracted from medical records. Participants (n
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 13-10-2022
DOI: 10.1177/15394492211050634
Abstract: The rehabilitation strategies used by occupational therapy driver assessors with older drivers with age-related decline or health conditions are not well understood. The objective of the study was to describe driver rehabilitation interventions used by Australian driver assessors, identify factors that guide rehabilitation choices, and identify barriers and facilitators encountered. An online survey was emailed to 300 driver assessors. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize and to rank order participant responses. A total of 148 respondents selected from a combined total of 655 interventions. The four most common rehabilitation methods were (a) graded driving (18%, n = 118), (b) practicing specific maneuvers (17.7%, n = 116), (c) using a modified vehicle (16.9%, n = 111), and (d) graded driving in local areas only (15.1%, n = 99). The most common barrier limiting driver rehabilitation was cost ( M = 2.92, SD = 1.24). The most frequently used driver rehabilitation method was on-road training. Practice can be enhanced by collating and evaluating resources, and ensuring effective interventions are more accessible.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2022
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 28-02-2019
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 02-2015
Abstract: Limited evidence is available to support knowledge of the time-frame and capacity for fitness to drive after mild traumatic brain injury. The aim of this systematic review was to identify what methods and assessments are, or could be used to determine fitness to drive for this population. We undertook a systematic search of six electronic databases. Two authors rated all studies for methodological content and quality, and standardised data were extracted. Narrative analysis was conducted to understand the content of eligible studies. A total of 2022 articles were retrieved seven articles met the inclusion criteria. Self-reported questionnaires, non-standardised assessments, questionnaires completed by next-of-kin, and simulator tests were the primary methods used to determine fitness to drive. Only one assessment has been used to aid recommendations about fitness to drive in the acute hospital setting. Six additional standardised assessments were identified that have the potential to predict fitness to drive in this population group however, these assessments require further psychometric testing prior to use. While a variety of methods and assessments are currently used, there is little research evidence to suggest when in iduals are able to return to driving after mild traumatic brain injury. Research is urgently required to determine a consistent and standardised approach to assessing fitness to drive following mild traumatic brain injury.
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Date: 26-11-2014
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 25-09-2015
Abstract: Over the past 33 years, theoretical and empirical articles have been published on professional reasoning in occupational therapy. This systematic review sought to answer two questions: (1) What is the nature and volume of professional reasoning literature and (2) What do we know about the development of professional reasoning in students through literature exploring novice and expert differences? A systematic review of the peer-reviewed literature with narrative and critical analysis. A total of 140 articles were classified into six topic areas: what is professional reasoning, ethics and moral reasoning?, methods of studying professional reasoning, novice–expert differences, professional reasoning of assistants, and advancing specific fields of practice using professional reasoning. Of these, 68% included analysis of data, and the remainder were discussions. Fourteen articles examining novice–expert differences were critiqued but only eight were rated as strong. Research findings prompt the need for reflection, extended fieldwork, and development of protocols to facilitate reasoning. This is the first systematic review of the professional reasoning literature, and provides a foundation for more detailed critiques of specific topics to be undertaken. While research strengths have been identified, gaps include the use of standardised measures of professional reasoning and identification of educational approaches that promote professional reasoning.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 11-12-2014
Abstract: Occupational therapists work together with their medical and nursing colleagues to ensure that patients are able to return to safe and legal driving upon discharge from the emergency department after a range of illnesses and/or injuries. This study aimed to determine the type of information that is provided nationally in emergency departments to people after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), with respect to fitness-to-drive. Cross-sectional electronic survey mailed to all emergency departments in Australia (N = 110). Responses were invited from medical, nursing, and allied-health professionals. The survey asked respondents to comment about the existence and use of fitness-to-drive management guidelines, as well as their opinion on when clearance should be given to return to driving post injury. 104 clinicians completed the survey the majority of respondents were medical staff (n = 46, 51%) followed by allied-health staff (n = 23, 25%), with the highest response rate provided from Victoria (n = 41, 45%). Just over one-third of respondents' emergency departments (n = 34, 36%) recommended a period of 'no driving' after mTBI, and within these departments, this recommendation was usually provided by medical staff (n = 25, 80%). Consensus was not displayed with respect to the safest time to return to driving after mTBI. Opinions from respondents strongly suggested that a review of fitness-to-drive management guidelines was required for mTBI patients (n = 78, 88%). No consensus exists in the fitness-to-drive recommendations provided to patients after mTBI, and clinicians have reported the need for a review of fitness-to-drive management guidelines in Australian emergency departments. With their understanding about the complex interplay of the skills required for safe driving, occupational therapists are positioned to help guide the development of protocols in this area.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2014
DOI: 10.1016/J.AAP.2014.04.017
Abstract: Driver rehabilitation has the potential to improve on-road safety and is commonly recommended to clients. The aim of this systematic review was to identify what intervention approaches are used by occupational therapists as part of driver rehabilitation programmes, and to determine the effectiveness of these interventions. Six electronic databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycInfo, Embase, The Cochrane Library, and OTDBase) were searched. Two authors independently reviewed studies reporting all types of research designs and for all patient populations, provided the interventions could be administered by occupational therapists. The methodological quality of studies was assessed using the 'Downs and Black Instrument', and the level of evidence for each intervention approach was established using 'Centre for Evidence Based Medicine' criteria. Sixteen studies were included in the review. The most common type of intervention approach used was computer-based driving simulator training (n=8), followed by off-road skill-specific training (n=4), and off-road education programmes (n=3). Car adaptations/modifications were used in one of the included studies. There was significant variability between studies with regards to frequency, duration, and total number of intervention sessions, and the diagnoses of the participants. Of the four intervention approaches, there is evidence to support the effectiveness of off-road skill-specific training (with older clients), and computer-based driving simulator training (with both older clients and participants with acquired brain injury). Three types of intervention approaches are commonly reported, however, there is limited evidence to determine to effectiveness of these in improving fitness-to-drive. Further research is required, with clients from a range of diagnostic groups to establish evidence-based interventions and determine their effectiveness in improving these clients' on-road fitness-to-drive.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 10-07-2016
Abstract: To identify factors reported with negative and positive outcomes for caregivers of the traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury cohorts, to investigate what interventions have been studied to support carers and to report what effectiveness has been found. Scoping systematic review. Electronic databases and websites were searched from 1990 to December 2015. Studies were agreed for inclusion using pre-defined criteria. Relevant information from included studies was extracted and quality assessment was completed. Data were synthesised using qualitative methods. A total of 62 studies reported caregiver outcomes for the traumatic brain injury cohort 51 reported negative outcomes and 11 reported positive outcomes. For the spinal cord injury cohort, 18 studies reported caregiver outcomes 15 reported negative outcomes and three reported positive outcomes. Burden of care was over-represented in the literature for both cohorts, with few studies looking at factors associated with positive outcomes. Good family functioning, coping skills and social support were reported to mediate caregiver burden and promote positive outcomes. A total of 21 studies further described interventions to support traumatic brain injury caregivers and four described interventions to support spinal cord injury caregivers, with emerging evidence for the effectiveness of problem-solving training. Further research is required to explore the effects of injury severity of the care recipient, as well as caregiver age, on the outcome of the interventions. Most studies reported negative outcomes, suggesting that barriers to caregiving have been established, but not facilitators. The interventions described to support carers are limited and require further testing to confirm their effectiveness.
No related grants have been discovered for Anne Baker.