British Journal of Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapists are increasingly finding themselves working in settings where they are exposed to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). This article explores the epidemiological and clinical background to this area, highlighting some of the most important issues.

A report on research prospects for occupational therapists employed in Southampton was commissioned by the Director of Occupational Therapy Practice. This article relates the comments gleaned from interviews with 25 people. Obtaining research training and the lack of a career structure were discussed. Acknowledgement was made of the dilemma facing occupational therapists inasmuch as research is required to Justify occupational therapy to purchasers whilst at the same time managing heavy clinical caseloads so that contracts can be met. Occupational therapy managers were concerned that, if research was conducted by existing members of staff, these targets may not be met. The challenge for occupational therapy managers and clinicians is to balance and address these needs skilfully.

Subsequently, the second author reviewed the literature. The complementary literature review relates how others have viewed the relevance of research to occupational therapy, the provision of training, support and a career path for research, and ways of synthesising research and clinical practice.

This study examined attitudes towards psychiatry, prior knowledge about psychiatry and trait anxiety in preclinical Australian occupational therapy students. At the time of the study, students were anticipating their first clinical placement in psychiatry. Instruments used in the study were the Attitudes Towards Psychiatry – 30 Scale (ATP-30), the Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire (16 PF), and a demographic data sheet looking at background information on students which asked the question: ‘When you started the occupational therapy course, did you expect to have anything to do with psychiatry?’ The results showed that, while students reported positive attitudes towards psychiatry, a high percentage of students (In particular, the trait anxious student) had not been aware that psychiatry was part of the undergraduate education in occupational therapy. These findings suggest that the trait anxious student may not be able to assimilate knowledge in a new experience, and that the profile of the occupational therapist working in mental health needs to be enhanced.

This article is in two parts. Part 1 presents a survey of occupational therapists working in Glasgow. Ninety-four respondents returned self-completion questionnaires. Their level of contact, language and information services, self-rated awareness, actual knowledge of cultural factors and attitudes towards the service provision to clients of Indian subcontinent origins (ISO) were investigated. The respondents tended to self-rate their awareness as quite low. Knowledge about cultural factors was influenced more by the therapist's age and source of knowledge than by whether he or she worked in an area with a large ISO community. Part 2 will present their perception of the adequacy of the service and attitudes towards multicultural awareness education.

The Editorial Board is most grateful to those who review the articles submitted to BJOT. This ensures that a peer review procedure Is maintained and acts as a means of quality assurance. The following reviewers are thanked for their constructive comments during 1996.

This article provides guidelines and practical advice for those wishing to present a paper in a scientific forum. The content gives some pointers to a successful presentation. The article was written on behalf of the Research and Development Committee of the College of Occupational Therapists.

The Professions Supplementary to Medicine Act 1960 bestows the status of a profession on occupational therapy which automatically carries the statutory requirement to regulate professional practice for the protection of clients.

The Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Code’) is produced by the College of Occupational Therapists (hereinafter referred to as ‘the College’) for, and on behalf of, the British Association of Occupational Therapists, the central organisation for occupational therapists throughout the United Kingdom. The College of Occupational Therapists is the subsidiary organisation, with delegated responsibility for the promotion of good practice and the prevention of malpractice.