Resources
The College of Occupational Therapists Specialist Section – HIV/AIDS, Oncology & Palliative Care suggests members carry out literature searches in the following areas for up-to-date articles:
- oncology
- cancer rehabilitation
- chemotherapy
- radiotherapy
- pain and pain management
- symptom control issues
- issues relating to carers
- emotional and psychological issues
- specific cancers
- stress management
- lymphoedema
- neuro-oncology
- HIV/AIDS
- spirituality
- MS, MND
Reference List - Education Resources (29KB 
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Books/reports/these and journals (15KB *)
Students
The committee are aware of the number of students' research questionnaires sent to members of the College of Occupational Therapists Specialist Section – HIV/AIDS, Oncology & Palliative Care, some of which seem very well thought out and areas of great relevance to practice, some lack basic insight into OT and the speciality.
With this problem in mind, a list of suggested areas for students to research has beencollated and mailed to all OT undergraduate course leaders. There is also £25 support from this specialist section for up to four students annually. A summary of their research will be published in the newsletter. Students who are interested in such support should contact sheila@atbarnett.co.uk.
Ideas for Student OTs' research
- Evaluations of the number of OTs working in palliative care, hours to number of patients, and diversity of role.
- Evaluation of the MDT in palliative care, a comparison of centres with OT and without OT.
- Developing a model of rehabilitation in palliative care.
- Establishing the present model of palliative day care services.
- Evaluation of pressure relief in palliative care (the need for prescriptive cushions without wheelchairs).
- Availability of funding supply for equipment for cancer patients - common practice or local discretion.
- Evaluation of the impact of the Calman Report on service provision.
- Evaluation of discharge planning within palliative care.
- Diversional therapy vs. therapeutic activity within palliative care. Is there a difference?
- An evaluation of patients’ expectations/perceptions about attending Palliative Day Care.
- Functional abilities of those with upper limb lymphoedema.
- How do you evaluate fatigue with cancer patients? How do you accommodate this in lifestyle management programmes?
- Dyspnoea - life style management programme.
- Use of relaxation with cancer patients.
- Review of the motor neurone neck support and development or improvement.
- Psychological benefits of pet therapy within palliative care. (Consultant at Bart's very interested in this.)
- Develop education programme for COT of post registration OT needs re: Cancer management within general OT settings.
- Evaluate present education of OTs/curriculum for aspects of cancer care, HIV and Aids, palliative care, loss, grief, bereavement, etc.
- Measurement outcomes for patients with Cancer diagnosis receiving OT intervention.
- Compare and contrast role of OT in general practice vs. Cancer/palliative care - are there any similarities/differences?
Lectures
Our m embers carry out lectures in occupational therapy in oncology, palliative care and HIV/AIDS to colleges and other professions. 3 national study days are organised by this specialist section as well as regional study days, support groups and informal networking.
Post-graduate accreditation
Although there is no formal post-graduate accreditation for occupational therapists in these clinical areas as yet, this is being discussed with educational bodies. State Registered Occupational Therapist should attend local and national study days and conferences to keep their clinical and professional skills updated.
Sharing insights and skills with colleagues should not be an optional extra, but a central feature of this work.
The Specialist Section aims to encourage inclusion of its speciality topics at undergraduate as well as postgraduate level.
There are multiprofessional courses on palliative care and oncology at diploma and degree level. Postgraduate development and information can be accessed through the Hospice Information Service.
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