Authors (including presenting author) :
Leung SC(1), Choi YCS(1), Lee CKS(1), Lo WAY(1), Ng HPB(1)
Affiliation :
(1)Occupational Therapy Department, Kowloon Hospital
Introduction :
Mental health recovery has been shifted from pursuing absence of symptoms and impairments to restoring social functioning as well as a meaningful and purposeful life. In order to meet the complex recovery needs of our service users, a new recovery-oriented ward-based OT (WOT) program has been developed. It is designed according to the SAMHSA’s recovery principles with emphasis on promoting therapeutic optimism and functional enhancement. We purposefully engage service users at an early stage to facilitate them to set realistic recovery goals. The variety of activities has been increased and they are conducted in a collaborative way. Service users are encouraged to plan activities with staff as their inner resources are to be emphasized and respected.
Objectives :
To establish a recovery-oriented WOT program for the new female acute psychiatric unit and collect feedback from clients for service enhancement.
Methodology :
A sample of 44 service users with a mean age of 44.4, suffered from mood disorders and/or severe mental illnesses was recruited during from March to November 2019. Individual’s feedback was obtained using a satisfaction survey in a semi-structured interview. Data included (1) overall satisfaction, (2) the comparison between new and traditional WOT program, and (3) the subjective effectiveness in enhancing recovery concepts and functional improvement.
Result & Outcome :
The results showed an average rating of 8.36/10 (10 being very satisfied) and all participants favored the new program, owing to a greater variety of activities, specifically the health qigong Baduanjin which they found useful in stress relief. Results showed an average rating score of 4.26/5 in improving knowledge on recovery elements, in particular strengths/responsibility, relational, hope and respect. Moreover, they found the new program effective in enhancing functioning in terms of self-management, social competence, stress management, cognitive abilities and leisure development. Furthermore, positive feedback on staff attitude, such as sense of acceptance and respect, was obtained. The results support effectiveness of the innovative WOT program in enhancing wellbeing and functional recovery. Starting recovery in an early stage is in no doubt being beneficial to our service users. Future survey on program effectiveness would be conducted with a larger sample size and the data would be used as a blueprint for modifying our program to suit the complex needs of service users.
