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Mary - We'll share this across social media today for you too. The OT Hub Team hubteam@theOThub.com

Thanks for getting involved in the conversation @Rose! We're glad to hear the individual challenges faced by each person you mention didn't pose significant enough barriers for them to practice 😄 Moreover, your professional development has been enhanced by their existence in the workforce! The OT Hub Team hubteam@theOThub.com

Social Medias: twitter: shotheot instagram: shotheot

@Alexandra Hunter thanks for the reply I'm just trying my best to succeed in the rest of my course so far but I'm sure I will have lots of questions in the near future! Good luck to you in practice I'm sure you will find your calling.

Hi @Cindy! Welcome to The OT Hub - and thanks for posting your Twitter response in the Community Forum! 😄 =We hope you find the Hub a useful resource for your practice going forward. The OT Hub Team hubteam@theOThub.com

@Laura Jones Do you have any useful website links about the model of creative ability? I've heard it's a good one, but haven't been exposed to it at uni/in practice yet... Perhaps more of a MH/LD one?

Hey there Becci. Thanks for becoming a Member today and engaging in our Q&A Forum! Give a little time and we're sure you should get some good advice from other Hub Members :) We'll share this on social media too. Happy Hub surfing! The OT Hub Team hubteam@theOThub.com

Thank you for your time and effort! Our proffesor was really blunt about it and im not sure.I was thinking maybe the illneses of the skeletal system and how an OT can help. Best regards Arlinda Canolli

Non worries for the late reply @h29maira - the Forum will always be here :) The advantage over posting in social media groups is that it's easier to come back to, rather than getting lost down a news feed... Thanks for sharing your experiences - great for us all to broaden our understanding of how professional training differs around the world 😄 Yes, those blogs you mention are good too. Have you had a look through The OT Hub's Resources + Services Portal? There's a Specialism category called 'Other OT Platforms + Blogs'. Jamie

Hi Becci, How did you get on with your job search? BW Laura

Hi Rachel,I probably can't be a great deal of help with your query as I studied in the UK, but I was just wondering but I was just wondering how you're getting on in the your first year!

Clara - someone who engaged with our post on social media about your question has provided this link: https://www.ot-innovations.com/clinical-practice/sensory-modulation/sensory-rooms-in-mental-health-3/ It's about 'sensory' rather than 'comfort' rooms - but is pretty relevant we think. Links to mental health settings too :) Hope this helps!

Thank you so much for getting in contact. I'd really appreciate you promoting my post so I can extend my reach 😊

Hi @Lydia Smith. Thanks for reaching out. We'll bring this forum to the attention of fellow Members, via our social networks, to prompt a speedier response. Please could you clarify for others what the 'OOHA' abbreviation stands for?

Hi there @Michelle. I used to work as an OT within a rapid response service in Bristol, UK. It was a very good MDT setup, with occupational therapists, physios, support workers and a large number of nurses. Due to the acute nature of input (patients were often only seen a few times), we did not use OT-specific outcome measures. However, we would record: • Clinical observations (NEWS2 score) • Waterlow Pressure Ulcer risk level • Sepsis risk level • Clinical Frailty Scale (Canadian Study on Health and Ageing, 2008) These were taken regularly. For patients on our caseload for longer periods, the recordings could serve as forms of outcome measurement. E.g. we could see the difference in frailty between admission to and discharge from the service. I hope this info helps! I have shared a few rapid response case studies on the Hub. If you upgrade to Membership Plus+ you can take a read, including one called 'Community Rapid Response: Assessment + Intervention.' All the best, Jamie

@Sophie thank you! Hopefully this will be handy for @Hayley too!

Hi Yas! Thanks for the Forum post. As we only launched yesterday, you are officially our first OT Hub Forum contributor! Word is spreading fast, but there may be a little delay in getting other replies - as visitors start to find and get involved in the forum... It sounds like you're talking about peer-led services? (I was once interviewed for a mental health support worker role - by both a manager and current service user. I think it's so important to involve everyone. Especially as service users know best what they want from support!) Is motivation a big barrier where you work? Perhaps you need to re-look at your therapeutic use of self and building rapport early on? I imagine if it's a secure setting where service users are held involuntarily, attending meetings and contributing to running the hospital may not be high on the their volition priorities?... Perhaps you should highlight to them more strongly the value and transferrable skills gained from being a ward representative. If they understand that this could speed up transfer into lower-supported/more independent accommodation, maybe their motivation would improve? Jamie.

Thanks so much, Chantelle, I'll send over an email now. I really appreciate your interest 🙂

Thanks [@Sophie Albuquerque]! Do you have a relevant web link to IPA info you could share here?

Hello, Like Jamie. I used to work in Rapid response service and Rehab. I was based in London. The outcome measure we used including Clinical Frailty Scale, Fall assessment, and the Barthel index. For us we would see patients multiple times within a week- so Barthel and CFS really helped. Thanks Emily Kenworthy

Very interested. Please email me at chantellemartin@nhs.net to arrange further x

I facilitated the running of a service user engagement group for nearly two years. These were service users with a learning disability with the aim of the group being for them to be involved in the service and how it is run at every level, and to develop pieces of work and improvements for the service and beyond (e.g easy read information we use such as appointment letters, easy read information for CAMHS and dental services). One of the most difficult things for me was having the time to do this on top of my caseload and having little support from higher management. What worked well was meeting once a month/6 weekly and the fact that we were able to pay the attendees (after all they were doing a job) which was an added incentive for them to attend. Also making sure the sessions were meaningful to them and that they were planning what they wanted to work on and improve within the service. In relation to ward reps are you referring to staff? I can only imagine their lack of engagement and attendance is in relation to time constraints. Could you get them to speak with their managers and explain that it is important and part of their development and CPD and important that someone is engaging patients in developing the service?

Hi @ek.dawson. I shared your query on LinkedIn and Catherine (OT contact of mine) reached out with advice. I'm sharing it with you on her behalf: "Re the psychosis post I'd contact Leeds community links. They are specialists in early intervention for psychosis." Here's the document from The Leeds Early Intervention in Psychosis Service, for you to download:

Hi @Michelle. We'll bring this to the attention of fellow Members via our social networks, to encourage a speedier response!

Hi @Lorraine , This sounds like a very interesting and important role. Thank you for reaching out. Would you be happy for us to promote this on Hub social media platforms to further your reach to fellow members?

Laura points out a really useful webpage above, outlining the frames of reference! Here's the corrected link: https://passtheot.com/occupational-therapy-frames-of-reference. Hope it's helpful @jussymann!

That sounds really interesting, thanks Tanya! I will have a look!

Hi Katie, It sounds like you're being put under unnecessary and unreliastic pressure by your employer. OT is supposed to be client centred, we don't make the choice to impose therapy on someone whether they want it or not! We're supposed to be led by our clients, that's how we know what we are supporting them with is valuable to them. I'm assuming that you are in the US but I work in a Older Persons Community Mental Health team in the UK and work with dementia a lot. I am happy to provide some support to you to know how to work with more advanced dementia and what is realistic in terms of their skills and abilities at this stage. Happy for you to email me: jemma.coates1@nhs.net

That's great, thank you. So you have used the Co-op approach with outpatients successfully?

Hi there @eve.cooper1. Thanks for engaging in the Community Forum! We've not come across LiFE before, but it seems like a sensible (and evidence-based) tool for falls prevention 👍 Having a quick search online, it seems this is used a fair bit in Australia. The following is some useful guidance we've found: www.stayonyourfeet.com.au/updates/lifestyle-integrated-functional-exercise-program-instructor-training/ The below link takes you to a PDF document, from the Faculty of Health Sciences at The University of Sydney. It's pretty comprehensive... https://ses.library.usyd.edu.au/bitstream/2123/10760/1/LiFE%20trainer%27s%20manual%20-%20prelims.pdf Hopefully these will be helpful! But we know you're looking for first-hand feedback on LiFE's use. Would you be happy for us to share your Forum post on our social media channels? This will draw your question to the attention of our Members, to help you out! The OT Hub Team hubteam@theOThub.com

I would like to use it in the SNF setting - any suggestions?

Thanks for reaching out @basketweaver! We'll bring your post to the attention of Members via our social networks next week, to prompt speedier responses.

Hi @Abi. We'll get this shared across our social networks this week, to see if we can get some input. Jamie @ the Hub.

Thanks for reaching out [@jussymann]! We'll share your query across our networks in the coming days, bringing it to the attention of fellow Members.

Thanks for reaching out here Gail! We'll bring your forum to the attention of Members next week, to prompt responses 😀

Thank you Abi.

Very welcome! Since our Q&A Forum needs greater promotion, we could post your question on social media (anonymised or not, depending what you prefer)? For now, you may get faster response there... Cheers.

Hi @Malissa Holland. Thanks for reaching out to fellow Members here. We'll bring your forum to the attention of others via our social networks, to prompt speedier responses here to your query.

Hi @Christina123. Thought I'd pass on a few comments, shared by followers of the Hub on LinkedIn: Dorel B.: "Thank you for reaching out, Christina. As an occupational therapist, you are familiar with the importance of engaging individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) in group activities that can help improve their concentration and fine motor skills. Crafts with clay or Lego are excellent options that could accomplish those goals. In addition to those ideas, you may also consider incorporating other activities such as: 1. Painting or drawing 2. Cooking or baking classes 3. Yoga or other forms of exercise 4. Music therapy sessions 5. Board games or puzzles It's important to remember that choosing the right activity will depend on the interests and abilities of the individuals involved. You may want to try out a few different activities to see what works best for the group. Good luck and have fun!" Azure Jones: "Painting uncooked noodles and stringing them . I’ve used different textured scarves with music for therapeutic movement/ motor planning even if seated in a WC , and for sensory calming input . Making this person centered by knowing their favorite music and singing the words along with them if they’re able too, to incorporate memory. A lot of my past clients enjoyed country music as well as Elvis." Rahul Malik: "Give them piano to play, for sequencing." Amadi Promise: "You could do through and catch ball game, with them naming their favourite foods, or names of colours, animals, places, foods etc as they throw to each other....this helps with memory skills, concentration as well as fine motor skills(eyehand coordination, catch and release etc)." Helen Patience: "Stencilling, on paper and then on tote bags. The clay idea sounds good."

Thank you so much! I managed to read abit more into iwama’s approach, and that would be great if you could share!

I was based in a charity called Combat Stress, but I am now a Senior Lecturer at Wrexham university. I am an "Army Brat" too which of course always goes down well culturally with the veterans. I worked with the veterans for a total of 11 years so consider myself a bit of an expert in the field now (mental health).

N.B. For Members not familiar, 'IDD' = Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, or Learning Disabilities/Difficulties (UK phrasing).

Hi [@LucyB] - and happy 2019 to you! Wow, this sounds like quite an undertaking for you - but a hugely valuable resource if it can be realised! Are you happy for us to share your post across our social media network, to bring it to Members' attention? We hope you'll gain tips and insights as a result. The OT Hub Team hubteam@theOThub.com

Interesting to hear your perspective here @Rupert. I can understand you point of view; the model can be quite abstract for some and perhaps it is better suited to services with longer-lasting intervention periods? Certainly person-centredness comes out with Kawa!

@Laura - great to hear OT models of practice are useful beyond our patients/clients! I also love the visual nature of Kawa. Although I don't actively reflect on things in my life as much as I should perhaps...

Thank you for sharing this idea with the community @Karen! Getting lost in such an activity (flow!) can have many therapeutic benefits, including those you mention... Are you happy for us to share your post across our social media networks, to bring it to the attention of fellow Hub Members? PS. You can add links to Forum posts here (select text then click the far right link icon in the menu that appears). Were you referring to a video like this?

Hi Yi-Lin, yes they do look fun, I quite fancy having a go at the tin can planters. I think if you paint them really bright colours they could cheer up any corner, not sure what I would grow in them though, trailing plants like lobelia probably. Thanks for your post!

thank you very much!

Thanks for reaching out @Christina123! We'll bring your forum to the attention of fellow Members in the coming days, to prompt ideas for you.

Hi @Bronwen Pope-Wilby! Welcome to the Hub - and thanks for posting your query in the Forum. Are you happy for us to share this post across our social media networks, to bring it to the attention of Members? This should get you faster advice here. The Occupational Therapy Hub Team hubteam@theOThub.com