2007, Vol.15, No.3

Korean Journal of Occupational Therapy 2023 KCI Impact Factor : 0.81

pISSN : 1226-0134 / eISSN : 2671-4450
https://journal.kci.go.kr/kjot

Objective : The purpose of this present study was to make clear the necessity of the disposition of occupational therapists in a public health center. Methods : For this purpose, 73 subjects who have experienced CBR at a public health center in Dae-gu made up the questionnaire, with 20 of the subjects participating in occupational therapy programs. Also, 3 persons in-charge of CBR were interviewed in detail. Results : The results of this study can be summarized as follows. First, disabled persons in the community require professional rehabilitation services. Second, the degree of satisfaction was high for CBR including occupational therapy programs. Third, after an occupational program, there were significant differences on the level of ADL independence and quality of life (p<.01). Conclusion : The participation of occupational therapists in a CBR program is necessary for the improvement of ADL and quality of life of disabled persons. A procedural norm has to be prepared for the disposition of occupational therapists in order to develop CBR.

Objective : The purpose of this study was to identify the need for assistive devices and to initiate the groundwork for their appropriate development, as well as creating supporting policies, in vocational rehabilitation. Methods : People with disabilities currently undergoing vocational training and counseling were selected. Locational variables in the survey were also taken into consideration. The total available data came from 275 subjects (male: 218, female: 55, did not respond: 2), and they were analyzed according to areas of priority with regard to the development of assistive devices for disabilities. Results : With regard to priority in the development of assistive devices, people with physical disabilities pointed the following out as being of utmost importance: activities during daily routines, (ADLs), instrument-related work, and mobility. Blind persons required the development of assistive devices related to vision, and persons with a hearing impairment demanded development of assistive devices related to hearing. Demands for the development of detailed items to assist people with disabilities were mostly expressed in the following areas: a height-adjustable washbowl and height-adjustable chamber pot in ADLs, a delivery apparatus in working objects, a height-adjustable worktable, an ulcer protective cushion for instrument related work, a modified automobile for persons with disabilities, automobile accessories for persons with disabilities, and a power-driven wheelchair for better mobility. The blind require a computer input or output program, a Braille device, a document recognition program, voice memory, and a walking stick as assistive devices. The demands of people with hearing impairments include a letter transmitter-receiver telephone, a device converting sound to light or vibration, a communication board using figures and letters, a portable communicator, and a videophone. Conclusion : We identified the priorities in the development of areas and detailed items of assistive devices for applicants with disabilities in vocational rehabilitation. The results of this study show a demand for the further development of assistive devices and supporting policies in vocational rehabilitation.

Objective : This study aims to grasp the awareness of assistive technology by the rehabilitation workers of nursing facilities for seniors, and to research and ascertain situations for its use. Methods : 20 nursing facilities for seniors in Daegu and Kyongbuk were surveyed from June to July of 2007, and the questionnaires of a total of 233 respondents were analyzed. Results : Among the rehabilitation workers of nursing facilities for seniors, more people (56.2%) did not recognize what assistive technology is than those who recognized it (43.8%), and in the case of the latter, most of them (94.1%) answered that assistive technology is mostly helpful. Regarding the awareness according to the specialty areas of the rehabilitation workers, they were shown to be lacking in recognition (p<.05). The necessity of education about assistive technology was highly recognized (92.7%). The use of assistive technology devices was low (40.3%), and as for experience of using assistive technology devices, the wheelchair (95.3%) was mainly used and was most effective. In each area of assistive technology, the field of mobility assistance was the highest in experience of using instruments. In the area of assistive technology devices that will be needed in the future, the areas of posture and sitting assistance and daily life assistance showed rather high demands. Conclusion : It was found that although the recognition and usage of assistive technology by the rehabilitation workers of nursing facilities for seniors are at a low level, the workers highly recognize the need of assistive technology education and that an assistive technology service is very helpful to the rehabilitation of seniors.