Masters Degrees (Occupational Therapy)

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Browsing Masters Degrees (Occupational Therapy) by Author "Hough, P. A."

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    Wheelchair basketball and community reintegration of people with a spinal cord injury
    (University of the Free State, 2016-06) Wiggill, Wilene; Rauch van der Merwe, T.; Hough, P. A.
    English: As part of the occupational therapists role with a patient who suffered a spinal cord injury, the therapist aims to assist the patient in returning to his and her usual life, participating in activities that he or she regards as normal within his or her life. Such activities include basic tasks that are often taken for granted, such as caring for the home, caring for oneself and family, going to work, socialising with peers and managing one’s finances. From previous experience, it has been noted that occupational therapists often do not give enough attention to addressing the community reintegration needs of patients. Limited time, resources and too little knowledge regarding communication reintegration could contribute to this. Limited findings exist regarding the role of wheelchair basketball to address community reintegration. The researcher aspires to address this gap in the knowledge, by making use of a qualitative, explorative design within the specific context of the participants. By conducting in-depth interviews with the players of the wheelchair basketball team of the Northern Areas in Port Elizabeth, the researcher aimed to describe wheelchair basketball and the community reintegration of these participants. The interviews were conducted by Mr Kegan Topper, who is experienced in the interview process. The players in the wheelchair basketball team have acquired spinal cord injuries, and were between the age of 26 and 57 years. Informed consent was obtained from participants, and the participants were reimbursed for travel expenses. Participants had the opportunity to withdraw from the study at any time, without penalty or losing benefits. The identities of the participants will remain confidential. The researcher has used the findings to make recommendations regarding the community reintegration of people with spinal cord injuries.