British Journal of Occupational Therapy

This article looks at the reasons for introducing a staff performance review system and accepting it as an essential element in the monitoring and evaluation of an occupational therapy service. It considers ways of helping staff to see it as a positive method of promoting job satisfaction for themselves, increased efficiency for the department and a high quality service for patients within the district. The article also includes a report on how a staff performance review system was implemented in East Dorset, with special reference to the practicalities of planning and carrying out the project. The ultimate value of the scheme in establishing individual training needs and providing a comprehensive district staff development programme is acknowledged.

Measurement of quality of performance is increasingly seen as part of the provision of a service within the National Health Service. This article describes how a group of occupational therapists in Southampton and South West Hampshire looked at a process known as clinical audit that is practised within the medical profession to see if it would be a suitable method of evaluating performance within occupational therapy. The group viewed it as a most suitable method and this study will be followed by pilot studies of the practice of clinical audit.

This article is based on research which was undertaken to determine the effectiveness of two types of group work in the assessment of acutely disturbed adult psychiatric patients. The effectiveness of groups for assessment was determined by comparing the occupational therapy assessments of patients after one group session with those assessments made by other professional team members over the period of one week. The study was carried out at two acute psychiatric units in Johannesburg. Thirty patients were assessed by the author and by four members of the team. The five assessments were compared for each patient by statistical analysis. The results indicate that there is no significant difference between the five assessments or between the assessments undertaken in the art groups and those undertaken in the discussion groups. The short-term assessments of patients during these two types of group work is therefore effective.

Drama therapy is a valuable form of group treatment when working with children. This article is a brief introduction to the aims and application of drama therapy, followed by a discussion of the practicalities of using this therapy with children. The article includes a vignette of a session to provide an understanding of the children's situations and their interactions within the therapy group.

This article is a case presentation to illustrate the combined use of individual and group therapy within a family therapy approach.

In common with many other professions, occupational therapists are more likely than ever to be exposed to the risk of being involved in the legal process. It is essential, therefore, that occupational therapists have a good working knowledge of the role they may be required to play, should they be involved in proceedings brought either on behalf of the client or against the employing authority. This paper attempts to offer guidance on the main issues surrounding court appearances.