Occupational Therapy Practice Opportunities when Working with Mothers with Breast Cancer: A Pilot Study

摘要: The purpose of this study was to identify current and ideal occupational therapy practice for mothers with breast cancer, from the perspective therapist, in order describe strategies effective population. A grounded theory approach used analyze two interviews therapists working cancer. Three themes emerged interviews, identifying treatment strategies: giving a voice, preventing loss motherhood, collaborating multiple disciplines. These identified opportunities maintain performance feelings success as well support interactions their children. Therefore, therapists, should advocate be able role receiving cancer OT OPPORTUNITIES FOR MOTHERS WITH BREAST CANCER 4 Occupational Therapy Practice Opportunities when Working Mothers Breast Cancer Motherhood varies each relationship between mother child is unique, but stages which depend on other follow pattern over course child’s development. After birth, interactive they immerse themselves needs (Francis-Connolly, 1999). Then age, no longer requires constant care, yet still remain invested by providing emotional instrumental mother’s chronic illness, such however, may interrupt reciprocal relationship. More than 200,000 women are diagnosed year (Clemmens, 2009). In 2008, it estimated that out 125 million women, 3.5 would children under age 18 (Breast Moms, 2008). undergo potentially physically psychologically exhausting intensive invasive (Ogce & Ozkan, occupations many families affected due diagnosis 2009), routines tend disrupted. observing effects 220 families, found 33% displayed various behaviors, distress, refusal help around home, avoidance any topics related or becoming overly attached (Walsh, Manuel, Avis, 2005). Mothers’ attempt retain normalcy, efforts prevent further including, shielding situation maintaining routines, habits, rituals before (Billhult Segesten, 2003). its treatment, challenge these attempts. 5 have difficulty balancing care increase 2003 Ogce Help with, managing demands activities changes routine children, can addressed (OT) practitioner promotes participation valued roles. Framework-2 (OTPF-2) (AOTA, 2008) identifies areas motherhood where applied. Client factors detail beliefs values what be, physiological functions body structure presence Performance skills describes actions participate caregiving tasks, bending reaching pick her up respond emotions. patterns refer rituals, roles; morning young child, fulfill perceived expectations mother. interventions enhance while undergoing treatment. Current research examining application minimal. There high focuses lymphedema relaxation methods, little knowledge about disease (Cohen, So, answer how practitioners provide important first determine challenging tasks