Resource Centre
Occupational therapists working in developing countries and other isolated areas may have limited access to resources, information, professional support and opportunities for further education. The aim of this section is to provide a 'stepping off point' to resources available on the internet, and a central reference point for other relevant information, such as journal articles and publications. Use the menu below to jump to the required sections.
| Internet Resources: | Clinical Resources |
| Occupational Therapy Links | |
| Search Tools | |
| Written Materials: | World Health Organisation Publications |
| Clinical Resources | |
| Journal articles | |
| Further Education: | 'Development': The Broader Context |
| Links to Development-related websites | |
| Academic Study options | |
Internet Resources
Clinical Resources
Kiddies Rehab International: www.kiddiesrehab.org
The Kiddies Rehab International Foundation provides information and services to support occupational therapists and other health professionals working with children with disabilities in developing countries. Services provided include setting up and monitoring projects, answering requests for advice or information, providing workshops, an online bookstore, information about upcoming conferences and seminars, information packages on clinical topics, access to a member database, and a regular newsletter. Some services are for members only.
Help Age International: www.helpageasia.com
Rehabilitation International: www.rehab-international.org
International Centre for the Advancement of Community Based Rehabilitation: http://meds.queensu.ca/icacbr/
The ICACBR "is an organization committed to advancing the concept and practice of community based rehabilitation in partnership with persons with disabilities and their communities around the world." The website provides information about Community Based Rehabilitation, and current projects. You can email them directly on icacbr@post.queensu.ca if you have specific questions.
Independent Living Centres (ILC) in Australia
Independent Living Centres provide information on equipment and resources to promote independence in daily living activities for people with disabilities. You can email the ILC with specific requests about equipment, or browse the sites (including equipment databases, reading room, and links to other disability organisations).
- New South Wales ILC: www.ilcnsw.asn.au
- Queensland ILC: www.ilcqld.org.au
- South Australia ILC: www.ilc.asn.au
- Western Australia ILC: www.ilc.com.au
Standards Australia: www.standards.com.au
Smith and Nephew: www.smith-nephew.com
Find your closest Smith and Nephew supplier. Products include splinting materials and aids for daily living.
Occupational Therapy Links
World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT): www.wfot.org.au
The WFOT site provides information about upcoming events (eg international conferences), current projects and also includes a list of member countries, program coordinators, delegates and their contact details.
OT Internet Links: www.iop.kcl.ac.uk/home/trust/ot/otlinks.htm
OT Internet World: www.mother.com/~ktherapy/ot/
This site provides links to a huge range of internet resources specific to occupational therapy or of benefit to occupational therapists. You will find links to disability related websites, free medline services, on-line journals and more. There is also a message forum for a variety of clinical areas.
OT Database: www.otdbase.com
The Occupational Therapy Database allows users to search a wide range of Occupational Therapy specific journals. A subscription fee is payable before you gain full access to the site, however there are occasional 'open weeks' allowing free access. Abstracts to the journal articles are provided but not the full text. Articles relating to the practice of occupational therapy in developing countries and other disadvantaged groups can be found by searching under the category 'OT Practice' and sub category 'Cultural Influences'. Occupational therapists who do not have access to libraries may like to ask other OTION members to locate an article of interest for them.
Search Tools
Mamma ''The Mother of all Search Engines'': www.mamma.com
This search engine is very easy to use, and effective!
Amazon.com: www.amazon.com
This seems to be a good place to search for books that you wouldnÕt expect to find in your local bookstore.
The WHO Online Library at www.who.int/hlt/
Relief Web: www.reliefweb.org
Written Materials
World Health Organisation (WHO) Publications
A huge range of publications are listed on the main WHO website (www.who.org). Follow the links from the home page to Information Sources, then WHO Publications, then Catalogue Table of Contents, or go directly to www.who.int/dsa/cat98/zcon.htm. Subjects covered include rehabilitation, mental health, primary health care and maternal and child health. Publications can be ordered directly from the WHO or from national sales agents in many countries.
Titles include:
- Mental Health of Refugees
- The Mental Health of Indigenous Peoples: An International Overview
- Health for All
The Disability and Rehabilitation Programme (DAR) within the WHO also lists publications of interest to occupational therapists. Copies of these publications can be obtained by emailing the DAR. For more information go to www.who.int/hpr/rhb/#documents
Titles include:
- Promoting the Development of Infants and Young Children with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus
Elizabeth Bardos, co-author, Australian occupational therapist, and OTION member, writes: ''this manual is for mid-level rehabilitation workers to use when they work with infants, children and young adults who have spina bifida and hydrocephalus and their families, and with other rehabilitation or health workers. The manual includes information on the types, signs and causes of spina bifida and hydrocephalus and assessment of the level of development of the child and complications caused by spina bifida and hydrocephalus. Training suggestions are given for promoting normal development, mobility, self-care and education. Splints and equipment are shown which can be locally made and used for promoting normal development and movement. - Promoting the Development of Young Children with Cerebral Palsy: a Guide for Mid-Level Rehabilitation Workers
- Promoting Independence Following a Spinal Cord Injury: a Manual for Mid-Level Rehabilitation Workers
- Guidelines for the Prevention of Deformities in Polio
- Guidelines for Conducting, Monitoring and Self Assessment of Community-based Rehabilitation Programmes: Using Evaluation Information to Improve Programmes
- Promoting Independence following a Stroke: A Guide for Therapists and Professionals working in Primary Health Care
Clinical Resources
Disabled Village Children: A Guide for Health Workers, Rehabilitation Workers, and Families by David Werner (1987). Available through www.amazon.com
Helping Health Workers Learn: A Book of Methods, Aids and Ideas for Instructors at the Village Level by David Werner (1982). Available through www.amazon.com
Where there is no Doctor: A Village Health Care Handbook by David Werner et al (1992). Available through www.amazon.com
Journal articles are accessible through libraries, medline etc. Some conference presentations and student projects which are less readily available are linked to the author in the OTION Database.
Children
Miller L (1992) Evaluating the Developmental Skills of Cambodian Orphans Occupational Therapy in Health Care Vol 8 (1) pp 73-87
Community Based Rehabilitation
Concha M (1993) The Introduction of a Training Programme for Community Rehabilitation Workers - the Wits/Tintswals Model South African Journal of Occupational Therapy Vol 23 (2) pp38-46
Farmer H (1992) Zola Clinic: A stepping stone for training therapists for work in Community based Rehabilitation? South African Journal of Occupational Therapy Vol 22 (2) pp12-14
Consultation
Fudge S (1992) A perspective on consulting in Guatemala Occupational Therapy in Health Care Vol 8 (1) pp15-37
Tsurumi K (1979) Toward a dialogue in International Consultancy in Occupational Therapy with Japan American Journal of Occupational Therapy Vol 33 (12) pp763-769
Cultural Influences
Haig N (1993) The Gardia experience: Implications for Occupational Therapists working with Australia''s indigenous people in the Kimberley Region Australian Occupational Therapy Journal Vol 40 (4) pp157-162
Kelly L (1995) What Occupational Therapists can Learn from Traditional Healers British Journal of Occupational Therapy Vol 58 (3) pp111-114
Kenke IR (1994) Occupational Therapy in rural India Occupational Therapy International Vol 1 (1) pp29-35
Jungerson K (1992) Culture, Theory and the Practice of Occupational Therapy in New Zealand/ Aotearoa American Journal of Occupational Therapy Vol 46 (8) pp745-750
Kohl H (1990) Speechless Occupational Therapy British Journal of Occupational Therapy Vol 53 (3) pp98-100
Meyers C (1992) Hmong Children and Their Families: Consideration of Cultural Influences in Practice of Occupational Therapy American Journal of Occupational Therapy Vol 46 (8) pp737-744
Yelton D (1991) Understanding Appalachian Values — Implications for Occupational Therapists Occupational Therapy in Mental Health Vol 11 (2/3) pp173-195
Yuh Jang (1995) Chinese Culture and Occupational Therapy British Journal of Occupational Therapy Vol 58 (3) pp103-6
Wilson J (1994) Occupational Therapy — the Opportunity to Develop: An Exploration of Occupational Therapy as it Emerges in the Ugandan Context British Journal of Occupational Therapy Vol 57 (5) pp162-4
Wilson-Braun C (1992) An Occupational Therapy Experience in Equador Occupational Therapy in Health Care Vol 8 (1) pp 1-14
Intellectual Disability
Sutcliffe P (1995) Rehabilitation and Special Education: Measuring Outcomes in Mentally Retarded Children in Africa British Journal of Occupational Therapy Vol 58 (3) pp107-110
Mental Health
Evans, J (1992) Schizophrenia: Living with Madness here and in Zanzibar Occupational Therapy in Health Care Vol 8 (1) pp53-71
Occupation
Barrett H (1997) Women, Occupation and Health in Rural Africa: Adaptation to a Changing Socioeconomic Climate JOSA Vol 4 (3) pp93-105
Jensen H (1993) What it means to get off sit-down money: Community Development Employment Projects (CDEP) JOSA Vol 1 (1) pp12-19
Kelly, L (1994) Historical Use of Therapeutic Activity in Africa South African Journal of Occupational Therapy Vol 24 (2) pp26-30
Yeoman, S (1995) Occupation and Disability: A role for Occupational Therapy in Developing Countries. British Journal of Occupational Therapy Vol 61 (11) pp 523-7
Occupational Therapy Education
Madill H, Brintnell S, Nelson C, Tjandrakasuma H (1995) International Development through education linkages II: Implementing WFOT educational standards Occupational Therapy International Vol 2 (2) pp79-87
Brintnell S, Madill H, Tjandrakasuma H (1995) International Development through education linkages I: A guide to a successful outcome Occupational Therapy International Vol 2 (2) pp88-97
Refugees
Kwai-Sang Yau M (1997) The impact of refugee resettlement on SE Asian adolescents and young adults: Implications for Occupational Therapists Journal of the Otago Polytechnic Occupational Therapy Department Vol 4 (1) pp1-16
Driver C, Beltran RO: Impact of refugee trauma on children''s occupational role as school students Australian Occupational Therapy Journal Vol 45 (3) pp23-38
Research
Bhagwanjee AM, Stewart R (1999) Disability Research in South Africa: Vision and Imperatives for a National Coordinated Approach South African Journal of Occupational Therapy Vol 29 (1) pp15-17
Self Care
Gibbs K, Barnitt R (1999) Occupational Therapy and the Self-Care Needs of Hindu Elders British Journal of Occupational Therapy Vol 62 (3) pp100-106
Further Education
Advanced Course (Bphil/Msc) in Occupational Therapy by Distance Learning, St Loyes School of Health Studies, Exeter University
This course offers study by distance learning and offers a scholarship for students from countries where Occupational Therapy is currently developing. For more information visit www.exeter.ac.uk/Affiliate/stloyes or contact Anne Roberts, Director of Postgraduate Studies at A.E.K.Roberts@Exeter.ac.uk
'Development': the broader context
Occupational therapy plays an important role in improving health and productivity. For clients in developing countries, this must be seen in a broader context. The client and community's environment is shaped significantly be the process of 'development'. Key players include national and international government and non-government organisations. The realities of day to day life are effected by decisions made at national and international level, and by processes such as globalisation and international politics. It is important to be aware of these processes and how they impact on the life of the clients with whom you work. There are many opportunities for academic study in the field of development that would educate occupational therapists about these issues.
Development-related web sites
- AUSAID, The Australian Government's Aid Program www.ausaid.gov.au
See in particular the links page, country information, publications - Australian Council for Overseas Aid (ACFOA) www.acfoa.asn.au
ACFOA is the 'coordinating body for 85 Australian NGOs working in the field of overseas aid and development'. - Canadian International Development Agency www.acdi-cida.gc.ca
See in particular the Virtual Library on International Development (under Resources) - Institute of Development Studies www.ids.ac.uk
- United Nations www.un.org
- World Health Organisation www.who.int
Disability and Rehabilitation Programme
Department of Child and Adolescent Health
Development Program on Substance Use - United Nations Development Program www.undp.org
- UNICEF www.unicef.org
Academic study options
- Bachelor of Arts (Development Studies),
Australian National University
Three year degree, on campus (can be taken part time)
Further information: www.anu.edu.au - Master of Social Science (International Development),
Graduate Diploma of Social Science (International Development),
School of Social Science and Planning, RMIT University, Melbourne
Further information: www.tce.rmit.edu.au/ss&sw - Master of Development Studies,
Graduate Diploma of Development Studies,
Deakin University, Geelong
