Work-related Transitions Following Hand Injury: Occupational Therapy Scoping Review

Support factors contributing to successful start-up businesses by young entrepreneurs in South Africa

BACKGROUND

Unemployment and restricted work opportunities for youth are enduring social challenges that affect health, well-being, and quality of life, especially in low- to middle-income countries. When considering the advantages associated with work as a determinant of health, unemployment is understood to contribute to occupational injustice. However, self-employment, hailed the solution to youth unemployment, is often necessity-driven, precarious in nature and restricted by the low success rate of business start-ups.

OBJECTIVE

Research was undertaken to explore factors perceived to contribute to the success of start-up businesses in an informal settlement in the Western Cape of South Africa. The importance of support in the success of business start-ups will be the focus of this article.

METHODS

A collective case study, using narrative interviewing and - analysis, was undertaken in South Africa. Two narrative interviews were conducted with each of the five participants who were youth entrepreneurs and founders of start-up businesses. Data analysis comprised the use of narrative analysis and paradigmatic type narrative analysis.

RESULTS

Three themes captured factors deemed to have contributed to the success of start-up businesses. The vital role of support systems and networks in business success was demonstrated.

CONCLUSIONS

Support systems included family, friends, role models, mentors, team members and business partners. Identification, utilization, and ongoing development of support structures available in the social networks of young entrepreneurs were perceived to have contributed to the success of start-ups.

How is resilience conceptualized and operationalized in occupational therapy and occupational science literature? Protocol for a scoping review

Abstract Introduction Resilience is a commonly discussed term describing the ability to overcome, adapt to, or cope with stressful/disruptive events. Although researchers and practitioners define resilience in diverse ways – e.g., psychological or disaster resilience – the concept fundamentally encompasses perseverance through adversity. As experts in the interplay between individuals, environments, and occupations, occupational therapists and occupational scientists have great potential to understand and enable resilience, with some similar concepts appearing in occupational theories (e.g., occupational adaptation). However, there are no published reviews of resilience in the occupation-focused literature. Objective We will explore how resilience is conceptualized and operationalized in the occupational therapy and occupational science research literature. Method Guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute scoping review methodology, we will search library databases and other sources for relevant records. Two team members will screen records for inclusion, with discrepancies settled by a third person. We will include English-language literature (including research papers, editorials, dissertations, etc.) published since 1990 which 1) contains the word root ‘resilien*’ and 2) is occupation focused, according to our criteria (occupational therapist/occupational scientist co-authors or research participants; and/or published in occupation-focused periodical). We will report key information of included literature, such as methodology and resilience theories discussed. Results Our study is ongoing at the time of publication; this manuscript reports its protocol without results. Conclusion Findings will be useful for clinicians and researchers looking for occupational conceptualizations of resilience. From a social justice perspective, our review may highlight evidence that occupational engagement can foster resilience among marginalized communities.

Work transitions after serious hand injury: Current occupational therapy practice in a middle-income country

INTRODUCTION

Work-related transitions following serious hand injury can be complex for people with hand injuries and rehabilitation professionals supporting the return-to-work process. This study explored South African occupational therapy practice related to work transitions after a serious hand injury.

METHODS

In this collective case study, maximum variation sampling was used to select seven occupational therapists involved in facilitating work-related transitions for people with serious hand injuries. Participants selected at least five cases that illustrated the breadth of their practice in terms of work transitions; these cases formed the focus of the semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using inductive content analysis. Exemplar quotations were extracted to support emergent key themes.

RESULTS

There was one overarching theme-Ongoing appraisal of the fit between function and inherent work demands-which comprised three stages: (1) determining and facilitating readiness to work; (2) managing the risk and trauma of returning to work, and (3) implementing reasonable accommodation. The central theme comprised six strategies that were used to optimise the transition process and achieve the best possible outcome.

CONCLUSION

The study highlighted the importance of work-related transitions that are context-driven, flexible, and involve multiple stakeholders. The occupational therapists demonstrated how they drew on their knowledge of local contexts to solve problems and generate effective individual strategies over the rehabilitation period. The findings may be applicable to other low- or middle-income countries where the return-to-work process may not be as predictable as high-income countries.